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. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
In his first century account On the Glory of Athens, Plutarch recounts the story of a Greek runner sent from a field of battle in Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the governing assembly, exclaiming “we have won,” upon which he collapsed and died. The historical accuracy of the event has long been debated, but out of that brave runner’s effort was born the modern-day marathon run of 42.195 kilometers (or 26.218 miles).
The Christian life has often been touted as a marathon, not a sprint. It takes training and energy to finish well and to finish strong. Just as for the runner, it is not easy!
The Apostle Paul could tell Pastor Timothy that he was finishing his marathon well because he had invested his life in the truth of Jesus Christ. He had kept the faith by reproducing it in others. Though treated unfairly and tortured for being a Christian, he viewed his life as an offering to the Lord. His encouragement to you is to run the race beside him thus, “By the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).
It takes training and courage to endure a marathon, just as it does to finish well in the Christian life. Stay solidly grounded in the Word of God, pray regularly, intercede for your fellow believers. Pray that in their run, Christian members of Congress would set an example of godly living for those around them.
Today’s Verse: 2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 12:1-18
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. 2 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.
3 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. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 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.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
