Finish the Race

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

There are two extremes in Christianity. There’s the person who tries to do everything, even things he shouldn’t do. By shouldn’t, I don’t mean bad things, but God has something for each of us to do. Some do everything else but what they should be doing. Then, there’s the other extreme, the one who doesn’t seek what God wants them to do. And they do nothing. There is opportunity to do something in the kingdom of God. Our Scripture of study today tells us that whatsoever we find to do to do it. But we have to seek it out. If you are well and able, scrub toilets, vacuum, dust, call or text first time visitors, pass out flyers or open doors for visitors in the church if you don’t feel a call to minister. You can pray for church members. Pray for your neighbors. There is something in the kingdom of God to do.

We all have a mission or a purpose for being alive. “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34) God has His will for each one of us. And we must work to finish that purpose. Paul wrote in Ephesians, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17) It’s important to know what the will of the Lord is for us so that we can go about doing what God wants us to do and finish the work He has for us to do. Not only are the days evil, but they are short. Our time each day is nearer to His calling us home. Then we will not be able to finish what He has for us to do.

Solomon exhorts us that whatever we do that we do it with might. With might means with all your power, all your strength, all your substance or all your wealth. Whatever the Lord has shown you to do, the Lord does not want sloppiness. Paul writes in Romans about the marks of a true Christian. He writes, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:11) He urges the Colossians, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24) Again we see the word whatsoever. Whether it’s a big job or a small one, do it with all your might knowing that whatever we are doing is for the Lord. It’s not for the boss. It’s not for any man. And it’s not even for ourselves. We do it for the Lord. This is not speaking only about kingdom work, but anything we have to do, whether it’s at church, at home or at work.

Solomon knew what Jesus knew. Once we die, that’s it. We can no longer do anything here on earth. We cannot right mistakes, repent nor work. Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) He knew the time was short. And the time is short for us to accomplish everything the Lord has for us to do. Paul knew that his time was short too. He writes to the elders at Ephesus, “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:25-28) He had no regrets. He’d done all he could with the purpose God had given him. And he had done it with all his might and in spite of trials and tribulations. Many of us quit at the hint of difficulty. But not Paul. He preached the Gospel to the Gentiles and finished his race.  “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2Corinthians 11:24-28) Paul didn’t quit at the hint of trouble. And Jesus didn’t quit when He knew the suffering He would endure for us. He willingly offered Himself to torture and death for us.