FINISHING WELL

It is not how you begin your life that is the most important thing. Many people have come into this world in very unpleasant circumstances. Other have had difficult or rough early years. What is most important is how you finish this life.

John 19:30 - "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

Jesus declaration that "it is finished" was not a declaration that His life was finished. It was a declaration that His work was finished. He obeyed the Father and fulfilled His purpose and mission.

Philippians 3:13-14 -  "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

To finish well, we must not dwell on the past, but look towards the future. We must strain towards what is ahead, and keep our view of heaven. Our heaven perspective will keep us on course, and enable us to obtain our reward.

2 Timothy 4:6-7 - " For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Paul is a testimony of a person who finished well in this life. Paul knew his physical life was coming to an end. Yet, in peace and confidence, he is ready to enter into his eternal dwelling. The goal of every believer should be to fight the good fight of faith and complete the race that God has set before us.

Finishing well requires determination and endurance.

Judges 8:4 - "Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it."
Judges 8:11 - " Gideon went up by the route of the nomads east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the unsuspecting army. ¹² Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian, fled, but he pursued them and captured them, routing their entire army."

We must take our stand and not yield to the circumstances.

Daniel 3:17-18 - " If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

2 Peter 1:10-11 - " Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."