Topic: We receive power to endure to the end and to finish well.
Texts: Matthew 24:13; 2 Tim. 4:7.
EXPOSITION:
The goal of any laudable pursuit is to finish and to finish well. To embark on laudable pursuits is good, to finish them is better, but to finish well is the best and this should be the most desirable for anyone; the option to aspire and perspire to achieve a set goal. Christian race is a laudable, worthy, and honourable pursuit concerning which the one who is desirous of making it to heaven should aspire and perspire to achieve.
In Matthew 24 where our Lord Jesus was responding to the disciples on what would be the signs of the of the End Times, He highlighted some of the signs to watch out for which are things that are not palatable and easy to cope with, such as being hated, facing tribulation and even being put to death for His (Christ’s) sake, offences and betrayals, gross lawlessness which will cause the love of many to grow cold. But in the face of all these, as He said in verse 13, “…he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Because the laudable course we are pursuing, the race to heaven is not a sprint, but a marathon that’s rough and tough, endurance coupled with strength, perseverance, and patience are required. “Nothing good comes easy”, so we commonly say. This season, we will freshly receive all these essentials, plus the enabling grace, sustaining grace, and enduring power afresh in this regard in the name of Jesus.
Apostle Paul was one of the many apostles in the early church who faced unimaginable perils, persecution, tribulation and untold sundry hardships, all for the sake of Christ, but grace abounded and was sufficient for them; they kept faith rather than deny it; they bore these burdens, and ran with endurance the race that was set before them; looking unto Jesus who endured the cross, despising shame and finally ended in glory at the right hand of God the Father.
This is what Paul said at a time concerning the ordeals, the travails he encountered in the pursuit of his goal – “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Cor. 4:8-9).
Regardless of these many odds that were against Paul, he was able to say, no doubt with a joyful heart and full assurance that he has attained his glorious and laudable goal – “I have fought the good fight of faith, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid 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).
I pray, as it happened to Paul, in that order it will so be for us; you and I and many like us who, with high hopes are eagerly waiting for the Master’s return will not be disqualified, our hopes will not be dashed; concerning the crown of glory and righteousness which will be given to us, we shall not be counted unworthy of it in the name of Jesus. Amen and amen. God bless you. SHALOM.
