7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
The second metaphor Paul depicted of himself was that of a tenacious runner who persisted in the race until he finished.
I have finished [completed] the race [course],
Paul finished his race of fulfilling the ministry God gave him (Acts 20:24). He followed the course God set before him. He had no regrets about how he served the Lord (He 12:1-2). He faithfully and fearlessly preached the gospel and the Bible by delivering it throughout the Roman Empire.
PRINCIPLE:
God lays out a unique course for each believer, which He expects us to complete.
APPLICATION:
The course God lays out is different for each believer. He has a special race for each of us to enter. Paul wanted to finish the particular course God set before him (Acts 20:24). The question will be whether we were disqualified from the race (1 Co 9:24-27). Did we foul someone on the course? Did we run in vain? (Php 2:16). We must strip ourselves of anything hindering that race (He 12:1-2).
