Finishing Strong: Strong Faith Makes for a Strong Finish

Have you ever considered that the moment you decided to follow Christ, you were drafted into a battle?

In our walk with God, we often focus on the beginning—the excitement of a new life and the joy of salvation. But as the Apostle Paul reminds us in his final letters, the true mark of a disciple isn’t just how they start; it’s how they finish.

The Identity of the New Man

In the book of Ephesians, Paul divides his message into two powerful halves. First, he explores the story of the Gospel (Chapters 1-3). But then, he shifts to how that Gospel must shape our day-to-day lives (Chapters 4-6).

To walk with God, we must undergo a wardrobe change of the soul. Paul challenges us to:

• Take off the “Old Man”: Strip away the lying, the anger, the resentment, and the selfishness that defined our past.
• Put on the “New Man”: Clothe ourselves in truth, forgiveness, and humility.

This “New Man” is led by the Spirit, found in fellowship, and characterized by a heart of gratitude. But make no mistake: maintaining this new identity is where the fight begins.

Understanding the Spiritual Battle

Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians with an imperative: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

We must realize that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. It’s not about the person who offended you or the circumstances that frustrate you. It is a spiritual war against forces that want to undermine your unity and your faith.

To win this fight, we cannot use carnal weapons. We must put down the gossip, the grudges, and the “silent treatment.” Instead, we must take up the Whole Armor of God: Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, and the Word of God—all held together by the power of persistent prayer.

What is a “Good Fight”?

We rarely think of a fight as “good.” Usually, fights are born of ego or pride. But a Good Fight is a fight for things that truly matter.

• It is the Fight to Believe when things look bleak.
• It is the Fight against the Flesh and its weaknesses.
• It is the Fight of the Will—choosing His way over our comfort.

The Finish Line

As Paul sat in a Roman prison awaiting his departure, he didn’t look back with “would’ve, could’ve, or should’ve.” He looked back with the peace of a man who gave everything he had. He told Timothy: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Whether it was the Apostle Paul or the faithful example of You or I: the message remains the same: The race is not given to the swift or the strong, but to those who endure to the end.

Are you ready to finish strong? Rely on His immeasurable power today, keep your eyes on the prize, and protect your faith like the treasure it is.

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