“Fight The Good Fight…Keep The Faith…!”

“Fight The Good Fight… Keep Your Faith…!”
Paul writes to Timothy, “…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the righteous Judge will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”(II Tim. 4:6-8).
These verses have been used on funeral programmes as words of accomplishment to the deceased. Sometimes it is a contradiction because the deceased may have died in regret for not haven accomplished his spiritual committments.
I like it the way the verses have been put in song as a piece of advice: “Fight the good fight, run the good race, keep your faith, your reward lies ahead.”
While Paul felt such accomplishment as he awaited his death, he told young Timothy, “Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction…But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
Paul was giving these last instructions or advice to Timothy in full knowledge that a time is in the offing “when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” So saying, Paul now turned to Timothy, “But you…”(4:2-5).
We are witnesses today that people are gathering around teachers who tell them what their itching ears want to hear. They refuse to put up with sound doctrine and turn away from the truth.
Truth, they say is bitter, but must be spoken! It is like when a child has fever. You do not give the child sugar or honey as medication just because they are sweet. Give the child quinine even though it is bitter! Quinine is bitter but cures the fever which sugar or honey cannot cure!
My friend, you and I have the opportunity to fight the good fight, to run the race and keep the faith while it is now! And when your travelling days are done you’ll be confident that the righteous Judge will award you a crown of righteousness!
Do not leave it in the hands of your relatives to write the words on your funeral programme when may be you do not deserve it! Work for it now that you are alive! Christ the righteous Judge is coming soon! May he meet you ready for Himself!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!