I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future 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.
Paul is coming to the end of his life. I write this in Chicago, on vacation to celebrate my 60th birthday .. two days hence. I can relate to Paul's words, "I have finished the course." As you reach the end of your days (Psalm 90:3-5 tells us that we have 70 or 80 years), you begin to contemplate your walk before God. At least that is what the believer does, or should do. The man of the world approaches his life and simply looks at what he accomplished, stored up, or achieved. He fails to remember that our lives are mere vapor (James 1). He fails to recall he is but dust (Psalm 90:3). He simply works so much and gets so busy that he doesn't have to think about the concept of death and accountability to God. But, the believer should have the same attitude as Paul. Can we say with Paul, I have finished the course? Can we say that we "kept the faith?" Can we say with Paul that we have looked for and desired His appearing? Yes, there is a crown laid up for those who believe and live in that minor. Have we fought a good fight? Or, have we just fought? For the believer that is a course to finish and a faith to keep. Each generation of believer has a responsibility to carry the Gospel fourth. It is my hope for the final years of my life I can keep the faith even in a slight measure of Paul's example.
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