Finishing Our Race Well

By Dr. Jay Zinn

“It is vanity to wish for long life and to care little about a well-spent life.” —Thomas à Kempis

When I was a young pastor, I was part of a network of churches that held an annual pastors’ conference. Usually the challenges we faced in our congregations determined the theme of the conference. One year it happened to be, “Finishing our Race Well,” because a couple of pastors had fallen into adultery—pastors who happened to be the seasoned “stars” in our network. We had always looked up to and applauded them for successful churches. Their failure shook us to the core and made us realize how vulnerable we were to the deceptions and temptations that can trap and defeat us. Those pastors did repent and were restored; however, the damage took its toll and diminished their influence, as well as the size of their flocks.

What causes a leader, or any Christian, to take such great risks of peril? God is jealous over his flock, and will expose sin to protect his sheep and the shepherd—just as he had with David. Though my fallen colleagues knew that and taught it themselves, something hampered their good sense. All sin has consequences. All sin is a stupid thing to do; stupid because it hurts yourself, your family, your friends, and your reputation. In addition, God’s name is reproached through your actions. Choosing sin over righteousness, when tempted, is simply a very bad idea.

It has been aptly said by the 6th century Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu:

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

At that pastors’ conference, one I’ll never forget, the biblical character used as the poster child of adultery was David and his transgression with Bathsheba. One evening in Jerusalem, while his army was off in another land engaged in battle, King David wrestled with insomnia and got up to stroll on the roof of his palace. As he looked over the balcony wall he saw a beautiful woman below bathing on the roof of her home. He thought, “Wow,” what I wouldn’t give to have her right now!” and mulled over that thought until he acted upon it. He acted rather quickly because he already had developed the “habit” of having any woman he wanted to marry or bring into his harem of concubines. But this time, he crossed the line of legitimacy and coveted another man’s wife. The husband, Uriah the Hittite, was a loyal soldier fighting David’s battle on the front line. So David managed somehow to talk himself into justifying this transgression. Due to the subsequent complications he faced, by impregnating Uriah’s wife, David tried to cover his sin by ensuring that Uriah would be killed in battle and then quickly marrying Bathsheba to hide her illegitimate pregnancy.

God sent Nathan, the prophet, however, to call David out. David repented, God forgave him his crime, but the seed had been sown. Not only did David’s illegitimate son die shortly after he was born, but also another son—Absalom—revolted and staged a coup that drove David from Jerusalem. To secure his place on the throne, Absalom defiantly slept with his father’s concubines in plain sight of all Israel. David’s sins of adultery, murder, and deception had matured into a harvest of consequences. Although he was a “man after God’s own heart,” David’s actions kept him from finishing his race well. He did not guard his heart at a point of weakness and temptation.

The actions of my colleagues had begun with repeated temptations mulled over in their minds. Their fantasies became words, convincing themselves to take action. They returned to the action, which numbed their conscience and fostered a habit. The habit continued until they were caught and called out publically. What was done secretly was shouted from the housetops and they had to live with the consequences of decreased influence and credibility in the eyes of the world. Sin always brings death. In the case of David’s choice to sin, a husband died, his infant son died, his son Absalom died, and David’s greatness died in the eyes of Israel. Though David couldn’t change what he had done, he taught Solomon, his second son from Bathsheba, the consequences of adultery, in which Solomon reiterated along with his mother’s teaching (Proverbs 1:8) in Proverbs chapter 5, 6, 7 and 9.

Joseph faced a similar temptation from Potiphar’s wife in Egypt (Genesis 39). But he fled the scene (1 Corinthians 6:18) and retained his integrity. Though he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife of trying to rape her and thus, was thrown into prison, Joseph passed the test as a young man, and repeatedly passed every future test in all areas. The record of his life revealed no moral failure. He maintained his integrity and finished his race well. As a prophet, Daniel revealed no moral failure or character deficiency. He finished his race well. Paul, the apostle, maintained a record of flawless integrity. He finished his race well. Billy Graham, one of the greatest evangelists of all time, has a life without the stain of immorality or questionable character. He will finish his race well.

Ironically, in a world where Hollywood and the media fill our theaters, internet websites, and television programs with a message that sexual promiscuity is expected, normal, and celebrated among singles and married couples—they will be the first to cry “Foul!” and crucify any minister of the gospel who falls, especially those of any notoriety. And not only ministers, but also the church in general receives a justifiable rap on the nose from the late night comedians with the word, “Hypocrites!” They’ll also be among the first to acknowledge publically and celebrate the life of a godly man who maintained impeccable character and morals like a Billy Graham. Sad, but true, far too many Christians, sitting in the pews, are just as promiscuous as the “heathen.” They are not going to finish their race well.

When I went to that conference to hear “the news” about our colleagues, I realized that if they could fall, it was possible that I could fall. I made a vow to myself that day to be on guard against the relentless temptations of the Three Gs: Girls, Gold, and Glory (for women it’s Guys, Gold, and Glory).

So as I walk through the seasons of my life, as I march toward my final end—to finish my race well begins with a pure and healthy thought life. To age wisely, to live well, and to have a life well-spent requires a decision and commitment to have a life that keeps its eyes, mind, and heart where they belong— on the Lord who will “lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the temptations of the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
“…the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” —Paul to his disciple, Timothy