The Fight, the Course, the Faith

(2 Timothy 4:7)
Tim Johnson

            For what should we plan and pray in the New Year? The world suggests happiness, good health, prosperity, etc. These are desirable, but only achieved by pursuing loftier challenges. We so easily forget the experience of the writer of Ecclesiastes who found selfish pursuits vain. He lived the world of Christmas-card slogans and found them inadequate.

            As Paul’s life drew to its inevitable, violent end, he spoke of the goals for which he had planned and prayed over three decades in service to Jesus Christ. He wrote them down on paper for Timothy, his son in the faith and friend, implying he should live out the same priorities. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). None are easy. All are worthy.

The Good Fight

            The world fights for money, property, resources, racism and warped religion. All are destructive and the tools of our adversary. Selfishness is the usual motive, but whatever it wins fails to satisfy. Christ’s people live to please Him, and to please Him we must fight! This is not permission to war with each other in the church. It’s a call to arms to fight sin and temptation, to battle “the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-13). We wrestle against anything that would stand up against the progress of the gospel, including our own apathy. It’s the good fight because its Leader is good, motivations good, results good. When we fight the good fight we discover we’ve been blessed with good health inside. Physical health will come and go. Paul’s body must have been a wreck after all his trials. But the good fight fills us with stamina, backbone and strength.

Finish the Course

            The race is not for those looking for an easy time. The course is not paved and flat. The finish line does not appear quickly. It demands life-long endurance, concentration and determination. Sin’s entanglements must be thrown off so that we can race. Jesus ran the course ahead of us and spoke of hostilities, hardships that brought the world’s shame, discouragement, and fatigue (Hebrews 12:1-3). There was sweat, groaning, crying, weariness, and blood. Those who give up receive no prize. Why did Paul decide to run this tough course for the rest of his life? Why would he urge Timothy to do the same? Why have so many Christians run it? All of them loved their Saviour who ran it before them, the One on whom they fixed their eyes as they followed. No course is as compelling as this one. It’s when we run it that we discover happiness, purpose and joy.

Keep the Faith

            We marvel at the opposition endured by Paul. Mistreated so badly, he remarked that “we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now” (1 Corinthians 4:13). Without faith, he would have every reason to abandon Christ. Yet, he kept the faith. Society has become expert in abandonment. People quit marriages, companies, friendships and churches because they are convinced they take too much more work and commitment than they’re willing to give. This is foolish. Nothing worthwhile happens without work and commitment. It’s only when we give that we get. Real life only emerges when we concentrate on giving something. Paul implied that Timothy must “keep the faith.” Keeping is not possession of something, like a souvenir on a shelf. It means to be faithful to something, to observe and stand by it. He also told Timothy to “Keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:14). He meant everything involved in following Christ. We must obey it, observe it and stand by it. Keep the faith. In this we find prosperity for our souls.

The Fight, the Course, the Faith in the Year Ahead

            For what do you plan and pray with a new year in view? Don’t cheat yourself by a commitment to selfish ambitions and temporary wealth. How many large communities exist in Canada without a congregation? Fight the good fight so they can hear the gospel. How many struggling people live and work around you without a reason to have faith in Christ? Run the course with endurance so they can see the great things for which you live and sacrifice. They need to see lights in the world that refuse to be snuffed out like so many others. How many people around you have become weak, lifeless and ready to abandon the Lord? Keep the faith through all trials and encourage others to do the same.

            The fight doesn’t have to be traumatic, as if it’s our last stand – although that may be demanded of us. Rather, it can play out every day by simply caring for people who may not experience much attention or concern. Carrying burdens must come before sharing Scripture. While we run the course we must not run over people or ignore their needs as we concentrate on our pace. It’s a careful run because we’re to watch for souls who may want to join us. Who is watching you go by: waitresses, bank employees, co-workers? They aren’t there just to serve you; they’re people with hopes and dreams you can influence. It starts with kindness, interest and conversation. Will you give that, or will you just be too busy running?         

            Keeping the faith is not selfish. We study, learn and pray for more than ourselves. We do it to be strong and ready. We can’t share what we don’t have. Spend time with God’s word every morning before you must spend time with people. Read what He said before you read what the world says in the newspaper or on TV. This is keeping the faith and it will change you and the people you know.

            Pray and plan for these things. Have a great 2010.