0640. 625. Paul’s Three “I Have’s” of Climax

625. Paul’s Three “I Have’s” of Climax

2Ti_4:6-8

1. A Good Fight. “I have fought a good fight.” Paul had not kept on the defensive in standing against the forces of evil—Eph_6:10-16; but he had been on the offensive in waging war against the powers of darkness—2Co_10:4. Christ’s victories are ours—Col_2:15; so we may be victorious against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. The Spirit is opposed to the internal enemy the flesh, the Father is against the external enemy the world, and Christ is antagonistic to the Devil—Gal_5:18; 1Jn_2:16; 1Jn_3:8.

2. A Course Finished. “I have finished my course.” Paul recognised there was a race to run—Heb_12:1; a standard of rules to follow—2Ti_2:5; a resolute purpose to fulfil—1Co_9:25-27; a goal to reach—Php_3:12-14; and a prize to win—2Ti_4:8. The Christian life is no easy thing, but it is a blessed one. The things that cost little are of little worth, while those of value cost much. Like his Lord, Paul “finished” his “course” (Joh_17:4).

3. A Kept Faith. “I have kept the faith.” “The faith” is the truth of the Gospel. There are seven colours to the bow of the faith, namely, Christ’s holy incarnation, His beautiful life, His beneficent ministry, His words of Revelation, His atoning death, His victorious resurrection, and “the blessed hope” of His return. This Paul “kept.” Kept it pure, consistently, prayerfully, carefully, continuously, bravely, and faithfully.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH