Neil McIver, asking us what we would like written about us in our obituary or on our tombstone, suggests that it would be a high honor to have II Timothy 4:7 (I have fought the good fight and kept the faith) as an epitaph. Our life could be likened to a marathon race, requiring much preparation involving exercise, diet, and equipment, enabling the runner to go across the finish line. Every Christian is obligated to fight spiritual battles, involving fleshly desires, the temptations of the world, or Satan's fiery darts. The apostle Paul admonishes us to walk by faith rather than by sight, realizing that the Word of God provides illumination for our path. Using God's Holy Spirit, we need to hold the word of God in our hearts, study it, apply it, readily dividing it, and taking it to the community through our example. It is imperative that we lay aside every weight, enabling ourselves to run long distances, enduring the grueling obstacles. It would be well to consider the sterling examples of those who have run the race before us, especially our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, establishing the spiritual maps for us to follow, leading us to an incorruptible inheritance. Our minds should focus singly on this prize of the Kingdom of God, ignoring distractions, pressing onward toward the mark.

Applying God's Word * Chess analogy * Cramps * Crown of righteousness * Dividing God's Word * Doubt * Endurance * Exercise * I Corinthians 9:24 * I Peter 1:3-4; 4:16 * II Timothy 4:5-10 * Fought the good fight * Heat * Hebrews 12:1-2 * Holding God's Word in our heart * Jesus as the Finisher * John 4:34 * Lay aside every weight * Life as a marathon * Obituary * Philippians 1:6; 3:13-14; 4:15 * Preaching by example * Revelation 22:14 * Romans 8:1 * Tombstone