Finishing Well

Posted on November 15, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

I Cor 9:24-27 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (Italics mine.)

Some of you who are younger may not find this as pertinent as older people. BUT YOU SHOULD.

How would you like to serve as a model congressional leader (and outspoken Christian) for many years, only to have revealed 30 or more years later that you sexually abused children and then end up in jail? Or how would you like to be a TV icon for decades and now out of the limelight only to have many women accuse you of sexual assault many years ago leaving you as a disgraced idol and poised for jail time?

To you young folks I offer this advice: “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” (Eccl. 11:9) (Italics mine.)

For those of us in the twilight years, having served the Lord faithfully for decades, the temptations may be different, but the devil is still actively pursuing us. Lying, stealing, gossiping, causing dissention among the brethren, a critical spirit, a refusal to acknowledge that a different age means reaching people in different ways, etc.

II Tim 4: 6-8 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

I remember the days I spent in college having less than a stellar record in discipline, then spending years “proving myself” well enough to be invited to speak in chapel and to hold office in the Alumni Association. I remember my son leaving home for the first time going to the same college giving him this advice: it took a long time for the Fichthorn name to establish credibility.

Don’t you blow it in a moment of foolishness.

I want to finish well. How about you?

Written by Rev. Neil Fitchthorn Rev. Neil Fichthorn is a seasoned conference and camping servant having served at Gull Lake Bible Conference, Sandy Cove Ministries as President, and an interim Executive Director at Pinebrook Bible Conference. He also served in church music for decades as a choir director and arranger. He has been Bill Welte’s mentor and friend for over 45 years.

The Daily Bible Reading: Luke 24 , John 20-21 | You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “I have found that it’s not so much how you start, but how you finish that counts.” -Declan

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Acts 24:15