The joy in this race we are is to finish well and be happy seeing among the believers in the kingdom of God. God has given us an assignment here on earth and it is our duty to start well and finish strong. Jesus was the son of God that was sent into the earth for a big assignment, He started at a tender age and finished well and a glorious crown was given to Him.
Hebrews 12:1-5,
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,despising the shame,and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children,My son,despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,nor faint when the art rebuked of him"
God has given us assignment that we must fulfill before returning back to our maker but the devil is always on the road to stop us from achieving our aim. He then struck with something to discourage and move our feet from the path and thereby blocking your ears and eyes from the assignment. He makes sure you finally do his wish before he can leave you alone.
The devil is not concerned about how we start the journey but his main focus is how we will end it. Satan is looking for people to join him in his kingdom,that is why he is after those pursuing the race and will want such people to end badly.
Love of the world cannot help finish well,when you are lost in the things of the world, you are easily captured and manipulated. One secret Satan uses to get people to himself is through their weak point. For example, when you are the type that drinks alcohol often,Satan enters through this thereby making his tasks easier. When he gets you there,then you become object of ridicule everywhere because Satan is already in charge. If you don't fight yourself over it,he will end up taking your life and make your journey life regrettable.
Ecclesiastes 7:8a,
"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning there of;"
When you endure all hardship,all mockery for the sake of Christ,your end will be much greater and blessed than the beginning. Even Jesus said in Matthew 10:22, "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake,but he that endureth to the end shall be saved"
When your focus is only on how to finish well without minding what people are saying to you, the Lord will save you and will enjoy in the kingdom of God.
SECRETS TO FINISH WELL
- Live a holy and perfect life.
Be obedient to His word
Look up only unto Jesus(Hebrews 12:2)
Endurance
Resist the opposition of sin and strive against it to the point of death.