As you know, Paul wrote of his having finished the race as he anticipated the end of his life. None of us really ever knows when the end will come for us in the race of life. What we must be certain of is that we are on the right course and moving in the right direction. This implies the necessity of living in accordance with God’s Word and growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
The race begins as we become God’s children in obeying the Gospel. It ends with our death or the return of the Lord. To be certain that we remain on the right course, we must be vigilant in our study of God’s Word individually at home -- and collectively when we meet with the saints. We must make adjustments as the Lord helps us discern in study that we have deficits. And let us not forget that the Lord provided us with the great blessing of a spiritual family to help us in this race. Those who appreciate this blessing for what it is never fail to meet up with this spiritual family when it is assembled. And they even manage to often find the time to make contact with that family between assemblies. Those who appreciate the blessing of having the written Word of God, feed regularly thereupon. Those who appreciate what our Father and Savior have done for us are eager to render worship and to commune with the Father in prayer.
In these times, perhaps little is accomplished in saying that one ought to be at the assembly of the saints, that one ought to read the Bible, that one ought to reverently offer worship, or that oneought to give in accordance with how one is blessed of God. On the other hand, if you love God, love Christ Jesus, love God’s Word, and love His family, you will not fail to do these things. Doing these things is a natural outpouring of one’s love and appreciation. May we have the confidence of Paul that we are on the right course and going in the right direction. Don’t forget that John wrote of his desire for his readers to know that they have eternal life.
2Timothy 4:7-8 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, 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.
1John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
The race begins as we become God’s children in obeying the Gospel. It ends with our death or the return of the Lord. To be certain that we remain on the right course, we must be vigilant in our study of God’s Word individually at home -- and collectively when we meet with the saints. We must make adjustments as the Lord helps us discern in study that we have deficits. And let us not forget that the Lord provided us with the great blessing of a spiritual family to help us in this race. Those who appreciate this blessing for what it is never fail to meet up with this spiritual family when it is assembled. And they even manage to often find the time to make contact with that family between assemblies. Those who appreciate the blessing of having the written Word of God, feed regularly thereupon. Those who appreciate what our Father and Savior have done for us are eager to render worship and to commune with the Father in prayer.
In these times, perhaps little is accomplished in saying that one ought to be at the assembly of the saints, that one ought to read the Bible, that one ought to reverently offer worship, or that oneought to give in accordance with how one is blessed of God. On the other hand, if you love God, love Christ Jesus, love God’s Word, and love His family, you will not fail to do these things. Doing these things is a natural outpouring of one’s love and appreciation. May we have the confidence of Paul that we are on the right course and going in the right direction. Don’t forget that John wrote of his desire for his readers to know that they have eternal life.
2Timothy 4:7-8 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, 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.
1John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
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