Bible Study

Despite the persecution Paul faced, at the end of his life he was able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Through this concluding message, Daniel Kolenda teaches us that we can also finish our race well.

“Do not let even good things become hindrances to eternal things. Eternity is too important to risk for the sake of some silly temporal thing that ultimately won’t matter..” – Daniel Kolenda

At Last

Paul returns to the theme of the bēma at the end of his life. Just before his death —just before he lays down his life, beheaded for the gospel—he writes:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8, NKJV).

As Paul faced the sword about to remove his head, he knew that his next stop would be the bēma of Christ. And there the Lord would give him a crown, awarding him for the work that he had done. What a shining example of a faithful life. Paul had no fear of death, because he had no fear of judgment. In fact, he anticipated judgment because he knew he did his best. He lived for eternity, and so he expected what the Lord had promised: glorious reward. How wonderful it would be if, at the end of your life, you don’t have to be in fear or in dread of the judgment that is to come. You can say with Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have run the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is a crown laid out for me. I am triumphant in Christ!”

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1-2, NKJV).

What holds you back and keeps you from running the race? What weights keep you from living for eternity? What sins threaten your rewards? None of them is necessary. From within you, be empowered by your new identity in Christ. All around you, be encouraged by the great cloud of witnesses who lived in light of eternity. And before you, be inspired by the rewards of faithful service to the King. But also be sobered: on that Day we will all give an account for our deeds done in the body.

So do not let even good things become hindrances to eternal things. Eternity is too important to risk for the sake of some silly temporal thing that ultimately won’t matter. Stop messing around. How you live matters. How you spend your time matters. How you serve the Lord matters. He is watching. He is noticing. He is keeping records and, one day, you will give an account. We will all give an account.

May you live your life from this day forward in the light of eternity. May you hear those words from the Master on that Day: “Well done my good and faithful servant…”

I’d like to encourage you to take a moment and ask the Lord what is hindering you and limiting your investment in eternity.

Pray along these lines:

“Father, I thank You that Your plans for me are perfect. Lord Jesus, I can never thank You enough for rescuing me from eternal death. Holy Spirit, I thank You for Your abiding, guiding presence. Search me and try me. See if there is any wicked way in me. Show me where I have neglected eternal things and lived for temporary things. Show me the weights and sins that so easily beset me and keep me from running the race you’ve called me to run. Help me to live the kind of life that anticipates the Judgment Seat of Christ. I want all You have for me in this age, and in the age to come. Help me to fulfill Your intended purpose for my life. I surrender all to You, in Jesus’ name."