Fight the Good Fight, Finish the Race

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” -2 Timothy 4:7-8

Phil Robertson, of the Duck Commander and Duck Dynasty fame, has a poor health prognosis. He’s a man I admire, as he, through Christ, has overcome such great adversity and trial (much of it self-inflicted) and has been a champion of the Gospel for the majority of his adult life since. So, when I heard the news, I was genuinely saddened. And yet, in spite of early Alzheimer’s and a disease that has infected his blood, he is giving those who care about him this message: “Run the race and fight the good fight.” This is, of course, a reminiscence of the Apostle Paul’s last letter, to Timothy and everyone else, where he says, “I’ve fought the good fight, I’ve finished the race.”

This morning, I was a few minutes late for work because my wife, the boys, and I were having a discussion along a similar line. As I headed out the door, I left the boys with this statement (or something similar, anyway), “Finish what you start, and do it all as unto the Lord; there is nothing in life worth hastily changing course over.” Jesus, after all, was never in a hurry, even after finding out his friend Lazarus was sick (He waited a few more days after hearing the news, and Lazarus had been in the tomb 4 days by the time he arrived). Jesus did everything intentionally, on purpose, and, especially by the Holy Spirit, in accordance with His Father’s will through the Scriptures.

That, friends, is how we fight the good fight. That, friends, is how we win the race: do everything intentionally, on purpose, by the Holy Spirit and through the Scriptures for the glory of the Father in Heaven. Do everything on purpose, do it the right way, finish what you’ve started, and, especially, do it all for and keep your eyes on Christ the entire way of your journey. Fight the good fight, finish the race. Keep in mind what Christ did for you and do all for Him.

Romans 12

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.