12月14日
标 题：赛跑
经 节：那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了，所信的道我已经守住了。（提摩太后书四章7节）
能够完成自己所开始动手的工作，是相当有成就感的！一场赛跑的成功与否，不仅取决于起跑时的爆发力，最末的冲刺也同样重要。许多运动员起跑时爆发力强，但若在中途摔倒受伤，或缺乏耐力完成这场赛跑，再好的开始也是徒劳无功。保罗很高兴自己能开始跑这场赛程，并且能够跑完全程。他的奖赏是对神坚定的信心，及一生充满神大能的同在。
作基督徒并不容易，有些人误以为成为神的儿女之后，自己的挣扎就可以结束了。许多初信者刚开始时，热切地与基督同行；但是当压力增强时，他们就灰心，抛弃了基督徒的天路之旅。
保罗形容自己的基督徒之旅是一场争战。他有时候奋力作战，只有忍耐才能让他继续前行。我们可能会很讶异，这位最伟大的使徒，有时居然也得奋力持守对神的信心。保罗曾经面对逼迫、误解、背叛和死亡的威胁。他的基督徒生活没有一件是易事，但是他存了忍耐的心，坚持到底。
你对神是否有信心？不是看你的起跑点如何，而是看你能否坚忍地跑到终点线。你在教会公众面前宣布你对基督的委身，比不上你终生奉献于祂的事工。让保罗成为你的榜样。每日在神面前认真地生活，好叫你有一天也能说“那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了，所信的道我已经守住了。”
The
Race
I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2
Timothy 4:7)
There
is much satisfaction in finishing something you have begun! The success of a
race is determined not only by how well you begin but also by how well you end.
Many athletes can begin a race impressively, but if they stumble or are injured
or lack the stamina to finish, their good start is useless. Paul rejoiced that
he had not only begun the race but he had also finished it. His prize was a
robust faith in God and a life filled with God’s powerful presence.
The
Christian life is not easy. Some mistakenly assume that once they become
children of God, their struggles are over. Many Christians begin their walk
with Christ enthusiastically, but as the pressures mount, they lose heart and
abandon their pilgrimage.
Paul
described His Christian life as a battle. There were times when he struggled,
and only through perseverance could he continue. It may surprise us to know
that the great apostle had to struggle at times to be faithful to God. Paul
faced persecution, misunderstanding, betrayal, and death threats. His Christian
life was anything but easy, yet he persevered.
Your
faith in God is not proven by beginning the race but by enduring to the finish.
Publicly announcing your commitment to Christ in your church does not compare
with a lifetime of devotion to His cause. Use Paul as your model. Live your
life in such a way that you can one day conclude, “I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!”
