“When we place value each day on what God has revealed in the Bible, we are well on our way to finishing well.” —Charles R. Swindoll

No runner enters a race hoping to come in second. Runners race to win. And although it’s important how they begin and to maintain a manageable pace, the difference depends on how much “kick” they have on the last lap.

What’s true on the track is true in life: the goal is to finish well. If it weren’t, Paul wouldn’t have told the Corinthians to “run in such a way that you may win,” (1 Corinthians 9:24 NASB).

Paul ran to win (2 Timothy 4:7–8) and he wanted the same for Timothy. But how? Here are four ways to finish well, found in 2 Timothy 3:14–17.

1. Continue in what you have learned

(2 Timothy 3:14)
Life isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. According to Paul, there are four legs to the journey. If we run each leg well, we’ll finish well. The first leg is: knowing the truth

2. Become convinced of what you know

(2 Timothy 3:15)
Knowing the truth starts us off, but we only hit our stride when we become convinced the truth is more than facts. This is the second leg: being convinced the truth is sacred

3. Place value on what God has revealed

(2 Timothy 3:15)
Now it’s time to quicken your pace. It’s not enough to know the truth or be convinced of its sacredness. This is the third leg: believe the sacred truth is the Word of God and treasure it

4. Allow truth to change your life

(2 Timothy 3:17)
It’s the last lap; the finish line is in sight. We need one more “kick” as we lunge towards the tape. Now is time for the final leg: applying the sacred truth of God’s Word

Timothy finished well (Hebrews 13:23) as a man of God who was a man of the Word of God. We too can finish well if we make a commitment to Scripture—to know it, believe it, treasure it, and live it.

“God-Breathed Truth” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Paul’s Swan Song. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.