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Fight the good fight

In Scripture, we see the Apostle Paul fight the good fight of faith and finish his race. How can we endure in ministry, even when it’s hard? Do we ever feel like we are running laps in a circle? What can we learn from this leader who fulfilled the call of God on his life?

1. Paul believed Christ was worth it all.

If there was ever anyone entitled to a break from ministry or to bail all together, it was Paul. I mean this guy endured more than one person should ever have to endure. Five times he received forty lashes, three times he was beaten with rods. Once he received a stoning. Three times he was shipwrecked. He spent a night and a day in the open sea. He faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from his own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers, toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing. Not to mention other things. Despite unimaginable challenges, this faith-filled man stood firm. He was determined to glorify God for as long as there was breath in him (Acts 20:24, Phil 3:7). How many of us would continue to press forward? Do we believe as Paul, that Christ is worth it all? It’s all about Him, isn’t it? Our serving must be about Jesus. If we get side-tracked with lesser goals, we’ll be tempted to give up when trials come. But we are to press on 2 Timothy 4:17 states "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Even through trials and tribulations, Paul continued to finish the race.

2. Paul loved people and endured for their good.

Paul knew that loving others would cost him. Yet they were worth the sacrifice. He labored tirelessly to see people saved and conformed to the image of Christ, even at great distress to himself. In Galatians 4:19 Paul writes “My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you“. Paul's transformation from killing Christ followers to suffering for them shows the compassion and heart of a changed person. Living for others is hard, especially for our enemies, but all people are worth it! Are you willing to put differences aside and love people like Paul did? Will you endure the race for the good of others?

3. Paul lived with an eternal perspective.

This physical world is only temporary, but Paul knew there was a better place that lied ahead when the race was done. He looked ahead to the reward, eternity in Heaven. He tells us in Philippians 3:20, "Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."

The race was long and hard for Paul, and some days, it is for us a well. No matter what you are going through, keep on pushing forward. Paul’s life and ministry provide for us a powerful example for modeling Christ today. Not only did he “fight the good fight,” but he also “finished the race” and “kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul knew that his death was near, but had no regrets. After Jesus took control of his life, Paul had lived life to the fullest, fulfilling all that Jesus had charged and empowered him to do. As believers today, we can have no greater sense of fulfillment than to know, as Paul did, that we have fully accomplished all that the Lord has called us to do. May we “fight the good fight” and be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill our ministry and show others the love of Christ.