12月14日

標　　題：賽跑

經　　節：那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。（提摩太后書四章7節）

能夠完成自己所開始動手的工作，是相當有成就感的！一場賽跑的成功與否，不僅取決於起跑時的爆發力，最末的衝刺也同樣重要。許多運動員起跑時爆發力強，但若在中途摔倒受傷，或缺乏耐力完成這場賽跑，再好的開始也是徒勞無功。保羅很高興自己能開始跑這場賽程，並且能夠跑完全程。他的獎賞是對神堅定的信心，及一生充滿神大能的同在。

作基督徒並不容易，有些人誤以為成為神的兒女之後，自己的掙扎就可以結束了。許多初信者剛開始時，熱切地與基督同行；但是當壓力增強時，他們就灰心，拋棄了基督徒的天路之旅。

保羅形容自己的基督徒之旅是一場爭戰。他有時候奮力作戰，只有忍耐才能讓他繼續前行。我們可能會很訝異，這位最偉大的使徒，有時居然也得奮力持守對神的信心。保羅曾經面對逼迫、誤解、背叛和死亡的威脅。他的基督徒生活沒有一件是易事，但是他存了忍耐的心，堅持到底。

你對神是否有信心？不是看你的起跑點如何，而是看你能否堅忍地跑到終點線。你在教會公眾面前宣佈你對基督的委身，比不上你終生奉獻於祂的事工。讓保羅成為你的榜樣。每日在神面前認真地生活，好叫你有一天也能說「那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。」

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!”