Live the Faith

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

 

When I learned that Mr. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A restaurants, died last month, I immediately thought of this verse. He kept the faith.

Mr. Cathy and his wife started with a small restaurant in the Atlanta, Georgia area. In 1967 he opened his first Chick-fil-A. There are now more than 1,800 locations.

Many thought Mr. Cathy was making a mistake when he chose not to open his stores on Sunday. Sundays are big restaurant days. But Mr. Cathy valued worship ahead of profits. Yes, this was a sacrificial decision, but God blessed Mr. Cathy. This is a great testimony to all who drive by a Chick-fil-A on Sundays.

My husband and I have good friends who are Chick-fil-A operators. For years I heard them talk about Mr. Cathy and his faithfulness to God. He was truly a committed, faithful Christian which is evident in the life he lived. His company was definitely Christian based.

When Paul wrote the words in the above verse, he knew that the end of his life was drawing near. Paul was called by Jesus to carry His name to the Gentiles and to the people of Israel (Acts 9:15).

In today’s scripture, Paul sums up his life in three different ways: “ I have fought the good fight.” All believers should take this position. We should all be a defender of the Word of God and stand for the great truths of the Bible.

“I have finished my course.” It is necessary for life that we have staying power. Many people begin a project or a ministry, then fail to complete it. Not Paul. He stayed true to his call.

“I have kept the faith.” Paul never veered from the truths and doctrines in the Word of God. Paul never lost faith in Jesus even during his persecutions.

Are you faithfully serving God and keeping the faith?

Georgia Andrus