Good Starters/Poor Finishers

By Bishop Kenny Martin  

Paul’s letter to the Philippians includes this verse, which I’ll share from the Amplified Bible because I like the commentary that goes with it: “I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]” (Philippians 1:6). It focuses on the “until.” This word can be translated “as far as,” and it expresses progress toward a goal and indicates a time is coming when God will completely finish His work among the Philippian Christians.

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“It is my hope and desire that we would, as the family of God, have this hunger and this urgency to take hold of God as God has taken hold of us.”

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This portion of Scripture also reminds me of Paul’s writing in Philippians 3:12–14. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (NKJV).

Even though Paul’s letter was to the Philippians, I pray his word would encourage us to “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This is a call to spiritual maturity. “Paul urgently wants to ‘take hold of’ God as God has laid hold of him” (AMP Bible Commentary).

As we continue the journey together in this new year, it is my hope and desire that we would, as the family of God, have this hunger and this urgency to take hold of God as God has taken hold of us. This, I believe, is the catalyst that will help ignite a Spirit-fueled movement in the Free Methodist Church USA and around the world — having our minds intentionally and purposefully set on grabbing with gusto everything God has for us just as fiercely and intensely as He has set His heart and affections on us.

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“Jesus is our model, and He mentors and instructs us on how to follow Him.”

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Broken Resolutions and a Disciplined Life

If we would be honest with ourselves and look introspectively, we are good starters but poor finishers. Around every December we see a plethora of commercials and advertisements vying for our attention because businesses know most people have a New Year’s resolution. I looked online and found the “65 Best New Year’s Resolutions for 2024.” These resolutions are for building a healthy, happy life. The article states, “The achievable resolutions below aim to relieve stress, minimize anxiety (not add to it) and improve overall well-being.”

I said, “Sign me up every year.” I can start again in January 2025 and the following years too, because usually I start and by the end of January, I give up. I quit. I’m a good starter, but a poor finisher.

There is no secret to achieving your goals. I begin with the Word of God as my guide. What is the most important goal that I must focus on? It is found within me and you. It is revealed in Scripture and in prayer. It is living a disciplined life. Jesus is our model, and He mentors and instructs us on how to follow Him. If we are to be His disciples, we must leave all to follow Christ.

It is our call to be His disciples (students), to sit down first and count the cost. I encourage you to read Luke 14:25–33. This portion of Scripture helps us to focus on what we intend to build, and the question is: Do we have enough to finish it? What did you write down on your vision board that was important to you? Did you write the vision, make it plain on the tablets of your heart, and then pack it away?

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“The only guarantee in life is time and change.”

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Planning, Changing, and Finishing Well

As I was preparing this message, I was listening to Dr. Myles Munroe’s teaching on the “Power of Planning and Change: Understanding Strategic Thinking.” He states, “The most powerful force on earth is time and change.” The only guarantee in life is time and change.

I close with several scriptures for us to consider that would help encourage us to finish well:

Paul’s Valedictory: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6–8 NKJV).

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24 NLT).

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19:30 NKJV).

May we all hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21 NKJV).

Let’s finish well, my friends.

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