“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7 NKJV
Reflection: what does it mean to “keep the faith“?
At the end of this life, Paul writes a curious statement to his companion Timothy, which is our focus verse today. It is a reflective statement, looking back at his own life, how he has lived, made decisions which have at times cost him dearly. But his decisions and life, after meeting Jesus, has been devoted to following Jesus as his Lord. We know from reading about Paul that he gave up his old life as a Pharisee and scholar, changed completely course to become an apostle for the Gentiles (meaning those on the outside of God’s family). And in doing so, he put all on the line. He was persecuted, imprisoned many times, tortured, and eventually executed for following Jesus. But he kept pressing forward, preaching, arguing the scripture, and establishing new churches in city after city. And, as he looks back at it all, he says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7 NKJV
Kept the faith?
This is perhaps a very controversial statement, as many preach today that we cannot “lose our salvation”. But what happens if we lose our faith? Isn’t it only by faith in Jesus Christ that we can come to God? Isn’t Jesus the only way? Jesus said as He talked about the end times, the time we are living in, “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:11-13 NKJV. He is talking here about deception, and about endurance. Paul wrote to the Corinthians “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” I Corinthians 9:24 NKJV
Could it be that the enemy has placed deceivers, false prophets within many Christian communities, that lead people astray? Leading people to focus on the wrong things? We have seen the rise in the “prosperity” teachings, in washing out of morals and Christian living. Even many that focus their message on religion and liturgy, on the church itself, on them as church leaders, even some telling the congregation to focus on self, like a self help group; all of which is taking away the focus on Jesus. A distraction, because we know that the only thing that matters is
Having faith in Jesus alone.
It is of course true that the work Jesus did to atone for our sins, to establish a new covenant so that we can enter, is complete. Is finished. But, it is also true that we need to make a choice then to enter. This is a continuous choice as long as we are in this physical body. In this world. Paul wrote “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:12-16 NKJV
Having faith in Jesus doesn’t just mean something we tuck away in our hearts, then proceed to live our lives the way we want to, or what the church tells us to live. which actually means having faith in self, or the church. Having faith in Jesus actually means following Jesus. Doing what He said. That totally changes our direction, our daily decisions, because it is no longer us in charge. Paul ends with the promise for all who keep the faith in Jesus, and long for His return,
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, 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.” 2 Timothy 4:8 NIV. Let us keep the faith in Christ Jesus alone, and be among those who long for His appearance.