Johan Malan, Mossel Bay, South Africa (October 2013)
Shortly before his death Paul summarised his spiritual journey through life, thereby effectively writing what could be considered to be his own epitaph: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
These affirmations were part of this great apostle’s farewell words to his friend, Timothy. He knew that the end of his earthly journey had come, and said without hesitation: “... the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim. 4:6). Shortly afterwards, Paul died as a martyr for his faith in Rome. With the boldness which only a true Christian can have, he said that he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.
These are the characteristics of a person who has surrendered his whole life to the Lord, contended earnestly for the truth, fulfilled his calling as an apostle in an unwavering way, and persevered on the narrow way of faith to the end. He eagerly looked forward to the second coming of the Lord Jesus, which will also be the revelation of the heavenly kingdom for which Paul had dedicated his entire life and ministry despite severe opposition.
Any serious believer should be able to make such a bold statement of faith. Let us look in more detail what the full implications are of the four important statements made by Paul:
Jude 1:3 says that we should earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For most people the demands imposed on them by the true gospel of justification through rebirth, as well as sanctification through the filling of the Holy Spirit, are much too high. A thorough confession of sins as part of the process of repentance (cf. 1 John 1:8-9), is not acceptable to superficial seekers of salvation since they prefer an easier way to heaven. They are looking for a way of passing through heaven’s gates without parting with their sins. For that reason, the narrow road must be broadened by a form of imputed righteousness wherein there is no strong demand on repentance and the confession of sins. Baptismal regeneration without a testimony of repentance and rebirth is only one of various false foundations which are commonly encountered among those who only have a form of godliness (cf. 2 Tim. 3:5). It is for reasons such as this that the proclaiming of the true gospel has always elicited conflict and contradiction.
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul said: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Tim. 6:12). Paul calls the battle for the acceptance of the true gospel a “good fight”. There are many causes in life for which people are fighting and waging war, but there is only one really honourable fight and that is the fight associated with the proclaiming and defending of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no other way in which we can be the salt of a corrupt earth and the light of a dark world.
The gospel of Christ is the only solution to a world which is characterised by immorality, double standards, lawlessness and spiritual deception. The longer this message is kept away from people, the more they will be controlled by sin and unrighteousness. The Bible describes all forms of aberrant behaviour as “sin” because such conduct is at variance with the demands of God’s holiness and righteousness.
Proverbs 14:34 says: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” We should continuously be involved with the honourable struggle for the retaining and observing of Christian values on all levels of society. Can you also say that you have fought the good fight of faith? It is by no means an easy command – neither will it make you more popular in society; to the contrary, you may even be persecuted because of it.
In the final chapter of his letter to Timothy, Paul strongly emphasised the challenge and negative social implications of proclaiming the pure gospel: “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires ... they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry” (2 Tim. 4:3-5). We should rightly divide the word of truth, count the cost of discipleship, and fearlessly contend for the truth.
Unfortunately, not all believers can confidently say at the end of their lives: “I have finished the race.” There are many things which can impede our progress, or even completely disengage us from the race, and for these reasons Paul emphasises the vital importance of continued dedication and perseverance: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:1-2).
There are many burdens that we should lay down if we wish to serve the Lord with all our heart. Burdens are things which are not sins in themselves but hindrances that prevent us from fully serving the Lord. It may be things that demand so much of our attention, time, energy and money that they deprive us from opportunities to serve the Lord.
We are living in a highly competitive society which imposes huge responsibilities on us to survive financially, to comply with high academic expectations, and also to do justice to all our other duties. It is quite impossible to do everything that we should, and that necessitates the determining of priorities. If the Lord and the obligations of His kingdom are not really important to us, they will be low on our list of priorities. Many people’s obsession with wealth and success in the material world are their prime objectives in life.
We should take care that our multiple secular commitments do not become burdens that separate us from the Lord. Make sure that you do not only accumulate earthly wealth but also lay op treasures in heaven which nobody can take from you. The rich young man was kept from becoming a disciple of Christ by his earthly wealth (Mark 10:21-22). To try and carry too many burdens, commitments and secular responsibilities, is like a person who tries to run a marathon while carrying a heavy load of baggage. It won’t be long before he is exhausted by his burdens and consequently abandons the race.
Apart from the burdens, Paul also refers to sin that should be laid down (Heb. 12:1). All Christians can be tempted to sin while they are still in their mortal bodies. Sin can indeed easily ensnare us. If we yield to temptation and indulge in sin we become spiritually paralysed and lose our motivation to work for the Lord. Such persons should, like the lost son, return to the Father, confess their sins and surrender themselves anew to serve the Lord.
If Christ is the author and finisher of our faith, obedience to Him would be the most important objective of our lives. Such believers will not allow burdens and sins to cause them to stumble, but persevere in the spiritual race until they reach their final destination. Make sure that you can also say: “I have finished the race.”
One aspect of perseverance in the race is the struggle to maintain the faith. A true faith refers to the spiritual bond which we have with God the Father through Jesus Christ. People who are not united with the Lord Jesus by faith are described us unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:3-4). We should be mindful of the fact that the devil is not only intent on keeping unbelievers from accepting the gospel – he is also actively engaged in attacking the faith of Christians in an effort to weaken and eventually destroy it.
Paul urged Timothy to hold fast to “faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1 Tim. 1:19). During the first century, there were already some of these people who initially believed but later apostatised and became spiritually shipwrecked. Paul earnestly warned his Jewish contemporaries against apostasy of this nature: “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Heb. 3:12).
Faith should be built up and strengthened, lest it may weaken and ultimately wither away. Do you have a strong and unshakeable faith, or has you faith diminished because of doubt and crises? At a certain stage, the Lord Jesus said to Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31). We should not decline in our faith to the point of doubting, but build ourselves up on our most holy faith (Jude 1:20). Paul says we should grow up “to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:13-14).
We should be spiritually so strong that we will not be driven to doubt and despair by the storms and troubles of life. Whether experiencing good or bad times, we should always firmly trust in the Lord. The Bible describes a strong faith as follows: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jer. 17:7-8).
The secret of this green tree is obvious. In a hidden place under the ground, its roots have spread out to a stream of water. That is the reason why adverse external conditions such as droughts or heat do not affect it at all. Its leaves remain green, without any sign of deterioration. That is also the secret of a committed Christian – he is “like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither” (Ps. 1:3).
The river of water refers to the Lord Jesus, and to a life filled by His Holy Spirit. He said: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive” (John 7:37-39).
Is your life also characterised by this hidden source of power? If so, you will be steadfast in an agnostic world and never become part of the spiritual problems encountered by so many people. We should pray in a secret place in our inner room, where our faith can be nurtured and strengthened (Matt. 6:6). That will give us confidence to face difficult circumstances and to prevail over trials and temptations.
We should have an unbroken union with the fountain of living water, as that will ensure that we do not whither away spiritually and become victims of difficult circumstances. That is the reason why Paul could still say when he was in peril of his life: “I have kept the faith.” Our faith will enable us to survive all attacks and to emerge stronger from the struggle.
It is important to be firmly focused on the second coming of Christ and the revelation of His kingdom which is still hidden as it is not of this world. To love His appearing is a clear indication that you long for the righteousness which will prevail on earth after Jesus Christ has returned as King of kings to establish His kingdom of righteousness. It helps you not to become part of the present evil world in which you are a stranger and pilgrim. Paul said: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20).
Do we also look forward to the righteousness of Christ’s kingdom and do we earnestly pray that His kingdom will come? Or are we so occupied with promoting our own kingdom here on earth that we do not really desire the coming of Christ and His kingdom?
A former governor of Massachusetts, John Brooks, said the following words on his death-bed: “I see nothing terrible in death. In looking to the future I have no fears, for I know in whom I have believed. I look back upon my past life with humility and am aware of my many imperfections, but I now rest my soul on the mercy of my Creator through the only Mediator, His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.” When John Brooks died he put out his hand and was asked what he was reaching for. “A kingdom,” he whispered and passed away.
We should also be active members of God’s kingdom. Because of this, we must have a strong expectation on the establishment of Christ’s reign of peace and righteousness in this depraved world. To be able to share in this future kingdom we should now, in this life, have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, who will be revealed as King of kings at His second coming.
To follow Him all the way is a real challenge, for there is a battle of faith to be fought against sin and religious deception, there is a demanding spiritual journey to finish, and there is our faith in the unseen world which should be fostered and strengthened. Only then will we be overcomers who will rule with the Lord Jesus in His kingdom. He encourages His faithful disciples as follows: “But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations” (Rev. 2:25-26).
We are mortal people who live in a perishing world, and this fact should encourage us to add eternal qualities to our lives: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” (2 Pet. 3:11). We should be actively conscious of the unseen spiritual things and also promote them – even though it may cause us to suffer. Paul says:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18).