THE RACE
G. W. Weatherson
2 Timothy 4: 6–8; Hebrews 12: 1, 2 (to “faith”)
I would like to say just a short word, dear brethren, about the race. Some of us have been running this race for quite a while, some have finished it. We think of our two brothers whom the Lord has just taken from our locality; they have finished it triumphantly; I just refer to Mr. Whyte. He was in our house the Lord’s day before he turned very ill, and he spoke of the way. Marvellous! He was bright and he spoke of the Lord all the time. Well, I just refer to both of these men. They have both finished the race. They kept the faith, and they have finished their course.
Just a word for all of us, dear brethren—oneself too. The apostle’s word should encourage us. He was ready, he, was ready to go. What he says about himself is true. I do not know if I could say what the apostle says, but it is a good combat. We have plenty in ourselves to combat—plenty; but we have the Spirit. Oh, we should be thankful, more thankful than we are, for the Holy Spirit with us and in us in order to complete things here, to enable us to fight the good combat! Without the Spirit we could not. And he says, “I have finished the race”.
Some of us are getting on, you know. Some of us will not be much longer here, and there are others who are young. I would encourage the young ones to get into this race which is going to end in glory.
‘That way is upward still,
Where life and glory are’. (Hymn 12)
We need the young to come on, we need them. We need them in this city. May we encourage them tonight.
Paul says, “I have kept the faith”. What a thing that is, the faith! Christ is dwelling in our hearts by faith—dwelling there. It is the place where the Spirit dwells too. Then he says, “Henceforth the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will render to me in that day; but not only to me, but also to all who love his appearing’. What a thing it is, dear brethren, to love His appearing! But, to continue, yes, the proof of reality is continuance. One would like to continue and to finish the race having Christ as the goal.
That is why I read in Hebrews. It says, “Let us also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us”. Well, dear brethren, where are we looking? Where are our eyes? What are we looking at? What is our outlook? I challenge myself as to what my outlook is. My outlook tonight is more than ever to be where Jesus is—to be where He is. We know where He is, and He is with us too tonight; He is here by the Spirit. He would encourage every heart to look unto Him, “looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith”.
Well, that is just a simple impression one had, that we might all be given the help of the Spirit and the help of one another to finish the course. What a fine finish! There are obstacles, but oh! let us think of what the end will be, and the reward—there is a reward for those who continue and finish the race. May we all be in it, dear brethren, and desire to finish it, for His name’s sake.
Word in meeting for ministry, Edinburgh
22 November 1983