“…that I might finish my course with joy…”~ Acts 20:24
“I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”~ 2 Tim. 4:7
Someone wrote, “There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory.” Many started well but failed to finish that way. “Faithful Till the End,” is a worthy chiseled writing on any Christian’s tombstone.
Jesus tells of a man who, “…began [but]…was not able to finish.” I have found in these long years of ministering, that many a Christian in the race of life have fallen by the wayside, so to speak. Comparatively, I think, there are only a faithful few, in the age in which we live.
If our God is faithful to us throughout life, does it not stand to reason we should be so to Him?
May it be said of us as it was of some of the Bible saints: of Daniel it is written of his enemies that they, “…could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful; and of Hanani, Nehemiah’s brother, “…he was a faithful man…” How like their elder Brother they were, “ “…He…was called Faithful…”
It is very sad indeed the fact that many entering Heaven will never hear those precious words, coming from the lips of our Saviour, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” For those who do, this is the joy that is set before us!
There are many things I would like to do for my God, but for one reason or the other, I cannot; not will not. But there is one thing ALL can do, we can be faithful!
“Faithful people have always been in a marked minority.” ~ A.W. Pink
by an Aged Saint
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (entangle) us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God..." (Hebrews 12:1-3). The book of Hebrews is one of my favorites. Its warning and exhortation always refresh my weary mind and uplift me to His throne of grace. "...Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God..." "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith... Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering... And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works..." Let us encourage and pray for one another.
Thank you for the encouragement. Finishing well is very important and is a “prize “ to keep one’s eye upon so they (I) don’t grow weary!