ON FINISHING THE RACE WELL

Why is it so few people end the Christian life well? Here are a few observations I have made

over the years:

1. A failure to comprehend and rest in the grace of God. (Psalms 103:10-14; II Timothy

2:1; Hebrews 4:9-11)

2. A failure to live a life of disciplined priorities. (I Corinthians 9:24-27; I Timothy 4:7; II

Peter 1:5-8)

3. A failure in our earlier years to deal with sins and other debilitating issues. (I Timothy

5:24; Galatians 6:7, 8)

4. A failure to handle finances in a Biblical manner. (Deuteronomy 8:17, 18; I Timothy 6:6-

10; Luke 6:10-13; Romans 13:8; Proverbs 6:1-5)

5. A failure to deal Biblically with the sexual area of life. (Matthew 5:27-30; I Thessalonians

4:3-7)

6. A failure to grasp God’s sovereignty and grace in responding Biblically to bitterness,

disappointment and disillusionment. (Isaiah 14:24; Romans 8:28-30; Hebrews 12:14,

15)

7. A failure to live a life of sacrifice rather than a life of ease. (Luke 9:23, 24; II Corinthians

5:15)

8. A failure to live a life of transparency, accountability and fellowship. (James 5:16, Prov-

erbs 27:17; I John 1:7; Hebrews 10:24, 25)