Persevering To The End

How often have you seen a team jump out to a big lead and then change what they were doing? The game isn’t over, and suddenly they move to a different offense or defense, thinking that the game is already won.

Before you know it, the team who was behind scores two or three touchdowns, and all of a sudden, they have made what seemed like a lopsided loss into a competitive game. You’d think they would continue to play the same tough defense that had been successful—persevering until the game was won. But they don’t. And they lose.

Stay strong until the end of the fight so that someday you can stand face-to-face with God and say that you persevered to the end! And then you’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

The prize isn’t for accomplishments; it’s for “remaining faithful.” We can’t earn it or achieve it, no matter how many wins we have or all the earthly rewards that come with them.

The ultimate prize is the crown of righteousness that He will give us when He returns.

His Promises

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.