Over the past two weeks I’ve enjoyed watching the Olympic trials to see who’ll compete in this year’s Olympiad games in Paris, France. One of the most fascinating competitions occurred on this past Monday in the women’s 5000 meters race. For over 4,000 meters of the race a young lady named Parker Valby led the race only to lose because she didn’t have enough “gas” to finish. The winner, Elle St. Pierre was content to allow Parker Valby to lead for those first 4,000 meters. She laid back until just the right time. She made her move, won the race and secured a spot on the Olympic team. As I thought about what happened, it reminded me of life. Because life, the Bible tells us, is a race (Hebrews 12:1). And the problem for most people is like Parker Valby, they’re great starters, but are poor finishers. We can start a thing well, but most people lack what’s necessary to cross the finish line to victory. This is true in marriage, school and unfortunately in ministry. And it got me to wondering; “How can one finish well?” The Apostle Paul tells us how in Galatians 6:7-10. There are three things we must do if we want the “gold.”
I. Don’t give in to sinning.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV)
The modern church doesn’t talk about sin much these days, but as quiet as it’s kept the sure way to lose your race and miss the “gold” is to take sin lightly. To believe that you can sin & win is as crazy as thinking a runner can win his or her race wearing an overcoat. Hebrews 12:1 clearly tells us to get rid of sin if we want to win.
II. Don’t give up in serving.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
When the Word of God tells us that we’ll reap what we sow, it’s really not for our discouragement. It’s mainly for our encouragement. Because Paul wants us to know that if we keep sowing and if we keep serving, we will reap a harvest if we don’t quit. Serving Jesus is good work, but it’s hard work. At times it seems to go unnoticed & unappreciated at church, home, work, etc. But don’t quit. One day you’re going to reap a harvest when it’s your season!
III. Don’t give out in sharing.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10 (ESV)
Our world today is cold, callous and unkind. But that shouldn’t be said of the follower of Jesus. Paul said, “Remember, you’re going for the gold. Remember, you reap what you sow. So, every chance you get to do good, do it.” John Wesley is quoted as having said, “Do all the good you can, by all means you can, in all places you can, in all the ways you can and all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” And if we do these things, one day we shall gather at the Judgment Seat of Christ and hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Well done My good and faithful servant. Here’s your golden crown.”
Bee-Attitude
Blessed is the person who knows the danger of sin and seeks to avoid it. Blessed is the person who patiently serves for their season is coming. And blessed is the person who blesses others for they will also be blessed.
Dear Lord, keep me ever mindful of the dangers of sin. Grant me the patience to faithfully serve You in the confidence that You will reward me.
Terrence M. Curtis
Terrence M. Curtis is the pastor-teacher and visionary of the Calvary Baptist Church of Jonesboro and Barnesville, GA, starting these churches respectively in 1997 and 2022. Having been called to preach at the tender age of 14, he has dedicated over 42 years of his life to preaching the Gospel. He received a Certificate of Theology from The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), a degree in Biblical Studies from Faith Bible Institute, a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education and a Master of Divinity degree from Restoration Theological Seminary. He and his beautiful wife Shelia, to whom he’s been married thirty-eight years, have three children and twelve grandchildren.
