https://odb.org/MY/2021/12/18/well-done
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith – 2 Timothy 4:7. That’s Paul saying that to Timothy while in prison at the tail end of his life as he knew he will be executed once he appears before Ceasar Nero to argue his case and preach Christ crucified and His resurrection.
Paul’s exaltation in 2 Timothy 4:7 is the inspiration and also the aspiration of every believer. We want to be able to say that before we breathe our last. We want to be able to say that when we appear before our Lord Jesus on that day. Can we say that we have fought the good fight, have finished the race and have kept the faith? Not a question of salvation but a question of whether we were with God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit till the end? There will be no condemnation in Christ. Jesus is not there to shame us and tell us of our shortcomings and weaknesses. He will not harp on the things we did not do, or should have done but didn’t. Instead Jesus will be praising us for the things we have done. The RM1k gift we gave to that missionary. That RM1k contribution to that mission. That RM1k we sent to that charity that feeds the poor. The times we helped the old folks at that home. The prayers we prayed for Christians oppressed all over the world. The things we did in fulfilment of our calling, the things we had done as part of God’s plans and purposes for our lives. Not a question of whether we could have done better, but commendation for having done what we did.
We should try our best to do what God has called us to do and to fulfil His plans and purposes for us. Whether we achieve great success or greatness in doing those things is irrelevant and besides the point. Success is relative and is not something to be measured externally and in the natural alone. What happens in a person’s soul we can’t see with our naked eyes.
I think to have fought the good fight and have finished the race with our faith intact is really about having given it our best shot under the circumstances. We tried our best and didn’t waver. We gave it our all. We had to live life and face its challenges head on and yet we did our best for God. We didn’t run away from our calling. We didn’t turn our backs on His plans and purposes for us. We did all that while still living in the world although we are not of the world. We gave God our best. I think that’s what it’s all about.
Ronnie's Thoughts 