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Columbine Crossroads

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (II Timothy 4:7)

It was just another dry and sunny summer day in the Roman Empire. An outspoken Jew named Paul had been causing trouble among the local religious leaders. Here was another Jesus Freak proclaiming that Christ was the only way to God. Hadn't he learned his lesson? If you go against the flow, you may be swept under. Like so many other Christians in Rome, he was asked to deny Christ at the point of a sword. Did he listen? Absolutely not! In fact he looked straight at his executioners and proclaimed his eternal allegiance.

At the end of his life Paul penned these words to Timothy, his young protégé, "...I have finished the race..." In other words, he completed the course that God had prepared for him. His life may have ended during his prime, but he died without regrets.

It was also just another wet and overcast day in Littleton, Colorado. An outspoken student named Cassie had been boldly living out her faith among the local middle-class teenagers. Here was another Jesus Freak proclaiming that Christ was the only way to God. Hadn't she learned her lesson? If you go against the flow, you may be swept under. However, unlike most Christians in America, she was asked to deny Christ at the point of a gun. Did she listen? Absolutely not! In fact, she looked into the eyes of her executioner and pledged her eternal allegiance.

Just like the Apostle Paul and Cassie, you have a choice to make with your life. You can either waste it in earthly pursuits or invest it in heavenly causes.

My challenge to you today is to start strong, run steady and finish well.

Start strong by making a choice to be absolutely committed to your Lord. Eliminate the word "compromise" from your vocabulary.

Run steady by choosing to pace yourself over the long haul. Your service to Christ is much more like a marathon than a 100-meter dash.

Finish well by refusing to deny Christ through word or deed. Take responsibility day after day, month after month, and year after year.

Keep your eyes on the prize. Stay focused on Jesus Christ by making this verse your daily motto:

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 12:2).

Questions:

  1. What specific steps can you take to ensure that you'll finish well?
  2. Is your faith so strong that you would proclaim Christ under penalty of death? Why or why not?
  3. Are there friends or family that need to hear about a faith that is worth dying for?