2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith."
He is saying that the measure of his days has expired, and he has finished his work,
and he has kept the faith. He is directing our attention to where our priorities should be
placed in this life. They should not be centered on food and drink or meat and clothing;
our priorities should be set on the things of the life to come.
His good fight and course are referring to his ministry, his way of salvation. He tells
us he has kept the faith. How many people can give this account of their lives on their
deathbed? Do they talk of how many acres they have, how many dollars they have
accumulated, or what a tremendous inheritance they will leave to their children? What will
be the important thing you will speak of on your deathbed?
The Apostle Paul teaches us the preciousness of looking back on a life that was spent
for the glory of God.
A half a truth is a lie. If I teach you so much about taking care of your body that you
believe you will prolong your life with it, I have taught you a lie. If I teach you the
inability of extending your life by the care of your body to the extent that you neglect
your body, I have also told you a lie.
We also find this teaching of Jesus' in 1CO 6:18-20, "Flee fornication. Every sin
that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against
his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in
you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
We can glorify God in our body by taking care of our health and by not over-working or
doing anything to our body to the extent that it deteriorates our health. It is a sin to
bring harm to our bodies; it is a sin of unbelief. Scripture tells us that our body is not
our own, neither is our soul; they belong to the Lord, "...therefore glorify God in
your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
God has formed our bodies to be used for His praise. PSA 139:13- 14 says, "Thou
hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for
I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth
right well." The Psalmist was showing praise to the Lord for the wonder of the
creation of his body. Therefore we must care for our bodies.
