When finishing

“‘For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30 ESV)

Don’t quit, be a good finisher

Someone once said, “If you don’t quit, you win!” I can’t remember who said it but I believe it is true, because most of the time you can win out of pure grit and determination. That has been proven over and over throughout history in many famous battles fought and won in spite of incredible odds against them. One of the shortest, yet greatest speeches ever given by a national leader was by Sir Winston Churchill, who said, “Never give up! Never, never, never, never!”

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

Jesus is a good example of finishing well

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 18:30 BIV

“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4 NIV)

Paul is a good example of finishing well

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts. 20:24 ESV)

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14 ESV)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7 ESV) 

Therefore…

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (Phil. 3:12-16 ESV) 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:1 ESV)

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Eccles. 7:8 ESV)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6 ESV)

Quotes: 

“Stopping at third adds no more to the score than striking out. It doesn’t matter how well you start if you fail to finish.” – Billy Sunday

“Whenever God calls us to a task, He will equip us and enable us to complete that task.” - Michael Youssef