Real Hope: Finding Hope Through the Life of PaulUddrag

I Have Kept The Faith

The apostle Paul wrote these words to Timothy near the end of his life. In his letter, Paul is simply describing what the grace of God had enabled him to do. His words serve as a moving testament to his unwavering love for and unwavering confidence in Jesus and the Gospel. In the book of Acts, Paul says these powerful words: ‘However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace’ (Acts 20:24 NIV).

As believers, we each compete in our own race (1 Corinthians 9:24). Each of us has the tools necessary to succeed. Paul exhorts us to ‘run in such a way as to get the prize’ and to put aside anything that would prevent us from emulating Christ and preaching the Gospel. To lay aside all burdens and the sin that so readily ensnares us is echoed by the author of Hebrews: ‘Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith’ (Hebrews 12:1–2). So, by declaring ‘I have finished the race,’ Paul is telling Timothy that he had put every effort into the work of proclaiming to all the Gospel of salvation. He had completed the course set before him; he had left nothing undone. Paul’s trust in Jesus never wavered. His faith was as solid on the day of his death as it had been the moment he first believed on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3). He was ready to cross the finish line into heaven.

May we run our ‘race’ with diligence, staying in our own lane, focused on the prize, and, like Paul, finish strong with these words: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ Amen

Written by HEIDI WYSMAN

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