Keep the faith through life’s struggles

In Second Timothy 4:7 the Apostle Paul writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”

He equates his Christian walk with a fight and a race declaring his faith in Jesus Christ through it all.

Anyone who makes the decision of accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will experience a battle, which can be fierce.

We know Scripture promises in Hebrews 13:5 that God is with us. “He will never leave us or forsake us.”

We also hold to the promise that we are well-equipped to face and win every fight that rages, but we must implement the principles of God’s word to overcome.

Looking at and reflecting upon the Scripture above we are able to see that Paul’s words, prompted by the Holy Spirit, were penned for our encouragement, exhortation and comfort.

First, Paul said, “I have fought the good fight.”

All we need to do is read the letters of Paul to the established churches to see and recognize that he endured battles.

Through it all he chose to exercise faith, believing and trusting the Lord to bring him out of each struggle.

He was persecuted, hated, beaten, thrown in jail and shipwrecked. He suffered rejection from the religious of his times.

Yet, through it all he continued to press on, establishing churches, fulfilling the mission and call of God on his life.

His focus in life was to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord to all who would hear, with signs following.

Paul fought courageously within and without, all the while walking in consecration to the Lord.

Second, he states that he has “finished the course.” When we think of the word “course,” its meaning is varied depending upon the application.

For Paul, there are two evident implications. One definition in Webster’s dictionary is “an ordered series of acts or sequence of events, progress” and the other is “a series of studies leading to graduation from a school or college.” Both may be used in this portion of Scripture.

Paul had a set course of events that were designed for him by the Lord.

His heart was one of a bond servant and he willingly gave his all in service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we read previously, he endured and still served. When times were their hardest and most trying, he relied upon the Holy Spirit to give him the strength needed to overcome and be victorious.

He was one whose mind was made up. He would finish the course and receive the crown.

We can read in the writings of Paul how he struggled. Yet despite it all, his focus continued to be finishing the course.

Paul followed Christ’s example and continued his course. Through misunderstanding, being alone with his thoughts and even abandonment by those close to him, he did not deter.

Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

Christian, finish your course and push through all adversity. It is possible to be victorious because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Finally, Paul writes, “I have kept the faith.” He did not lose his belief and trust in the Lord. Throughout the Epistles of Paul, the common thread is faith and grace. Despite what life brought to him, he trusted and depended upon the grace of Jesus Christ to take him through.

In closing, Paul says, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.” Let this declaration be ours .

Patty Scahill of Austintown is a conference speaker and author.