[Biblemat] A) ENDING THE RACE

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Monday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article from my recent files:

ENDING THE RACE

     Living a long life, at least in America, isn't too difficult.  Look at 
the statistics:  Out of every 100,000 persons, 88%
reach 50 years of age, more than 70% make it to 70, and al-
most 17% get to 85 or more.  Our main goal should not be to
live as many years as possible, rather, we should be concern-
ed with making use of our time here by giving our lives signi-
ficance and value.  Far too many people live out their lives
with no real purpose or goal.

     The way we finish the race depends on what we do along
the way.  A well known biographer remarked that when we
write an account of someone's life we should start with their
death, not their birth.  After all, we have nothing to do with the way our 
life began, but we have a lot to do with the way
it ends.

     When Paul wrote 2 Timothy, he was likely in a Roman pris-
on awaiting execution.  He said, "I am already being poured
out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come" (4:6).  Even 
at such a time, he could say, "I have finish-
ed the race, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up
for me the crown of righteousness..." (vs. 7).

     You and I can also end the race well, even if we started
late, began slowly, or stumbled along the way.  The secret is
to stay true to Christ to the end (Rev. 2:10; 1 Cor. 15:58).
            ----------- Shane Williams in The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 7,
No. 11, March 2007.   </HTML>
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