PT-4 “The Past: The Course, In Which He was Faithful” (2 Timothy 4:7)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/27/2025 8:31 AM

My Worship Time                      Focus: PT-4 “The Past:  The Course, In Which He was Faithful”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                     Reference:  2 Timothy 4:7

Message of the verse:  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”

            Today we begin to look at the third of five principles which are expressed or implied in this verse that were foundational to Paul’s life and service.  Third, Paul recognized the need to avoid wandering, to have self-discipline to stay on his divinely appointed course until it was finished.  Now this is also true of all believers as from our spiritual birth until the time God calls us into His divine presence, that is our divine mission.  Now we know that we are in the church age and there are two possible ways of being called into His divine presence, on through death, or two through the rapture of the church.

            John MacArthur writes the following about baseball great Ted Williams:  Ted Williams, the famed baseball player, reportedly had such powers of concentration that, when he was standing at bat, he could not be distracted even by firecrackers thrown at his feet.  He allowed nothing to interfere with his unusual concentration at that moment.  That is the degree of self-discipline for which every child of God should yearn in serving Him.  The writer of Proverbs wisely admonishes: Let your eyes look directly ahead, and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.  Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established.  Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil’ (Prov. 4:25-27).

            “Course is from dromos, which literally refers to the running of a race and metaphorically was used of fulfilling a lifetime career, occupation, or military service.  During his first sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, Paul spoke of John the Baptist, saying, ‘And while John was completing his course [dromos], he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am?  I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me they sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie’’ (Acts 13:25).  Using the same word to describe his own calling, the apostle some years later assured the elders from Ephesus, ‘I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course [dromos], and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God’ (Acts 20:24).”

            I really hate to stop here but due to time I have to stop, and Lord willing in tomorrow’s SD I will look at what the writer of the Hebrews has to say as he warns of the two major hindrances that relentlessly threaten to deflect believers from what the Lord has called them to do.  I think that this sounds very interesting.

Spiritual Meaning for My Life Today:  I have mentioned many times that I believe my calling from the Lord is to study the Bible with helps from different commentators and then use what I have learned to put onto my Spiritual Diaries.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I am trusting that the Holy Spirit of God will use what I have written to bring glory to my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

7/27/2025 8:54 AM