FINISH LINE FAITH
Philippians 3:13-14
Longtime pastor of Moody Bible Church, Dr. Erwin Lutser, airs a radio program
called Running to Win with emphasis on Making It Across The Finish Line.
One would think that one goal of every born again child of God would be to,
indeed, make it across the finish line to be with Jesus where He is. Now, it
is not by works of righteousness which we will have done, but by Christ's
tender mercies and His grace that we will be with Him (Titus 3:5).
The Christians' part is to ever stay close to the Lord and grow in His grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This meager treatise hopes to share some insights to achieving and maintaining
"Finish Line Faith [Hebrews 11:1, 6]." Please note that diligence is one key.
THE SPORTS SCENE EXAMPLE
In examining the world of professional athletes, it is noted that not everyone
on the team is a superstar. A player may play all season long for that one
moment of glory; yet, every member of the team is expected to be great
at the fundamentals.
One requirement for living successfully as a Christian is found in a constant
daily productive routine.
CONSISTENT FAITH (being steady and regular)
Often we seek experiences to boost beyond the normal Christian experience.
A particular fast, a special worship service, or a great revival seems to be
needed for the saint to "carry on." These things are good in their place. Even
the psalmist said, "Wilt Thou revive us again (Psalm 85:6)?" Each unique
experience can potentially bring us closer to God. Thank God for these, but
consistency takes us to the finish line.
Moments of grandeur come and go, but consistent stability gains ground every day.
Others may not say anything to you, but they cannot help but take notice that you
have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
(Illustration) In the high school I attended there was a football and track athlete who
did not train very much; yet, on contest days he would give great bursts of energy.
The question I had was, "How really outstanding could he have been if he had trained
regularly?"
We do live in a challenge-filled world. The knowledge that God can use each challenge
to strengthen our lives should compel us to be consistent in our faith. That knowledge
should keep us on the firing line. Do you remember the Hymn "Keep On The Firing
Line?"
Please remember that we are not ignorant of Satan's devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).
As if daily living in this challenge-filled world is not enough; here comes Satanic
influence to perpetrate lies to discourage. Two of them are: "You are going under
because of bills coming due that you do not have the funds to pay." "The children
are going to become sick and cost you expensive medical bills?"
The spiritual warfare becomes more focused when friends misinterpret us.
Hope begins to fade and priorities have a tendency to get our of order.
Yes, there might be too much month left at the end of the money, but
we still must continue to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).
FAITH WHILE IN THE FLOOD
Flood damage can be annoying at least and devastating in its full fury.
The psalmist had a handle on dealing with the floods in our lives. He recounted some of Israel's history. (Psalm 66: 6, 12) "He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."
We may ask, "Why through the flood instead of around it or over it?" One answer is found in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Secondly, We are more important to God than the circumstances which He already controls. He wants to have us yielded to His control as well. Third, The floods in our lives represent times of cleansing.
FAITH WHILE IN THE FIRE
Daniel 3: 19-20 (NKJV), "Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace."
As consideration was given to why go through the flood; let us also consider why go through the fire: We are aware that fire is used to fuse things together. As with the physical; so, the spiritual. The fire caused the Hebrew Three to stick together (be there for each other). Also, it caused them to cling, with greater intensity, to their faith in God.
Fire is also used for reshaping metal and glass, but spiritually the Hebrew Three were never the same after having come through the fire.
One of my sons preaches a sermon titled "On Which Side of the Furnace are You?" The before and after are vastly different.
(Illustration) "Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace."__Oswald Chambers in Run Today's Race.
THE HEBREW THREE
Went In Came Out
bound by ropes free and loosed
as slaves as evangelists
with faith believing in Him with the testimony,
whom they had not seen "We have seen the Lord!"
seeing the king pointing his finger seeing the king acknowledging God
FAITH DURING THE FIGHT
Consider how David viewed the fight in the following biblical accounts:
Psalm 23:5, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." In Psalm 23 David personally affirmed his faith.
Psalm 110:1, "[[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." He felt threatened by his lying enemies.
Psalm 138:7, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me." David gave thanks to a prayer answering and delivering God.
The fight is for strengthening. David wrote most of his songs about the strength of God. With every fight he gained new strength; i.e., he fought the lion and the bear, then he fought the giant.
The fight does not wear us down--it is spiritual training intended to encourage (Isaiah 54:17).
CONCLUSION: (parentheses mine) "As a born-again Christian you [we] are essentially a spiritual being [s].
You [We] are a creature[s] that The Holy Spirit has sealed as “heavenly.” You [We] are not an “earth
dweller[s].” We belong in heaven, and our home is not here on this earth; our home is the Father’s
House. Essentially we are ambassadors, sojourners and pilgrims in transit to our true home, which is in
heaven."
__Vernon Gray, Rapture Ready Website Contributor at www.raptureready.com
"God calls us to be fighters, but to fight the good fight of faith - a fight where some may lose a battle here and there, but they will carry on the fight with great determination until the war is over - when we lay hold on eternal life."__David Guzik
One purpose of the floods, fires, and fights is to see us "cross the finish line." There is victory ahead. Me must declare, "Victory is mine, I will not be defeated!"
God had declared us as winners--not whiners. We are experiencing personal growth processes (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Matthew 10:22b, "...but he that endureth [remain, have fortitude] to the end shall be saved."
