And just like that, it’s my final edition of “Defending the Faith.” In my final semester at Liberty, I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to explore the complex areas of the Christian faith through this column.
What better way to end this series than with a discussion of what it looks like to finish well?
The Bible is full of stories of people who served a great purpose for the Lord; however, Robert J. Clinton revealed research showing a lack of biblical figures who persevere in the race of faith. In his book, “The Making of a Leader,” Clinton found about one in three leaders, who we have sufficient information on, finished well.
This disheartening statistic shouldn’t shock us. It feels like each week there’s a new story featuring the latest Christian leader who got caught in another scandal. Or maybe you instantly thought of a friend who strayed from the faith and fell prey to sin.
With the prevalence of this issue across time, we must be diligent and watchful in following God’s commands to the very end.
In an article for The Gospel Coalition, Darryl Dash, a Canadian author and pastor, reflected on the three options for the end of your faith journey: coast, crash or finish well.
I would argue we all hope to fall into the latter category, but how do we navigate the complexities of this world while devoting our lives to Christ?
The apostle Paul provides an analogy in 1 Corinthians where he urges the church in Corinth to consider their faith journey like a race, one they must endure to the end.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it,” Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24.
There’s no perfect formula for the Christian life; we all endure our own trials and triumphs. However, Dash notes that to finish well we must be “killing sin and treasuring God” each step of the way, according to The Gospel Coalition.
In Paul’s final words to Timothy, he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
May we all be like Paul, abhorring evil and holding fast to what is good (Romans 12:9). The race doesn’t end when we choose to follow Christ; it’s only beginning. In each moment, God desires our obedience in the little things and in the big things, and when we see our Savior in heaven one day, only then do we know our race is complete.
Whatever season you are in — whether you’re coming back for the spring semester or heading off Liberty Mountain and into the world — strive to finish well both in this semester and in the race of life. It will be more than worth it.
Garman is a copy editor for the Liberty Champion.