Faithful to the End

This last Sunday of the year provides an occasion to focus on the Lord’s completing his mission, We can probably think of someone that worked a long time to accomplish something important only to clutch at the end. Previous course work was good, but not getting that dissertation written meant not receiving the doctorate. Laying the foundation, erecting the walls, even getting a roof on did not make a home for the family.

By caving in to his temptations during his five trials, Christ may have avoided the cross, but he would have come short of establishing the completed righteousness we are remembering in these emblems.

We say, “Well begun, half done,” but in this case half done would not have accomplished anything new; it would not have accomplished anything about providing the basis for our salvation.

Let’s acknowledge here today that endurance, keeping up the fight and preparing to keep the faith and finish our course (2 Timothy 4:7).