이정석교수의 2007년 9월 30일, 칼라마주 한인교회 주일예배 설교 전문이다.
그는 '완주(完走)의 고난과 영광'이란 제목으로 말씀을 전했으며 그의 삶 역시 '완주의 고난과 영광'으로 마무리 지었다.
본문 말씀 2 Tim 4:1-8
1. Today elder Cha is retiring from his eldership after faithful service of 20 years. It is my honor and joy to witness both his beginning and finish. No doubt, he may say what Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!”(7) Start may be easy, but successful finish is not easy. God gave us different calling to each of us, but all of us should be able to say what Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!” Whether it is the divine calling in church, family or society, we have to successfully finish the race. Often we want to give up, but the divine calling should be finished.
2. How can we successfully finish our God-given race? Paul gives us three points. First, we have to fight the good fight. Humans have two sinful tendencies in fighting. Some want to avoid fighting for easier and peaceful life. We are intimidated because fighting might hurt us and even kill us. We are living in the postmodern era, when people pursue pacifism, non-engagement, and relative pluralism. Whatever they do or say, we don’t care. So, we tolerate every moral wrong and avoid any political fight, even if it is destroying our society against the will of our Creator. Others like fighting, but bad fight for egoistic reasons. But for successful finishing our race, we have to be courageously engaged in good fight that is an effort and struggle in persuasion of love and peace, such a noble and beautiful grand fight. So, Paul gave this direction: “correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.”(2b)
3. Second, we have to finish our race. Life is compared to a long-distance run like marathon. For its successful finish of about 42 km (26 miles), we have to train and discipline ourselves. Experts say that any healthy man can run such distance if well prepared. Spiritual and physical exercise and management is necessary. Also, to start too fast results in failure. Successful runner maintains steady pace, downhill or uphill, and self-control is imperative. So, Paul gave us this advice: “you, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship.”(5) Unsteady people who are exciting at a time and then suddenly stop are not dependable. Christ will use and depend on the steady and faithful people for building and operating His church and Kingdom. Further, even if one is well self-controlled and keeps the pace, if he or she does not devote fully, life is not finished well. Experts say that our energy of glycogen runs out in about 30 km. And then, runner should burn their stored fat. It is not easy. They have a feeling of “hitting the wall”, which makes them to feel their limit and easily give up. Overcoming this moment and keeping their best effort is critical to finish the race. So, Paul witnessed his utmost devotion and sacrifice: “I am already being poured out like a drink offering.”(6a) Christ did pour out every energy and blood to finish his race and we have to follow his model. Or, we cannot continue our hard and long race. Finishing the race does not mean only touching the finish line. Greeks awarded not the finisher but the runner who finished with his torch still lit. We have to be very careful not to lose our passion and joy for our ministry and love for God and people around us until we finish the race. So, Paul gave us warning: “Discharge your ministry to the full.”(5)
4. Third, we have to keep our faith. It means that we have to keep our promise, pledge and vow. Marriage vow should be kept in the whole life. Also, our office ordination or installation vow should be kept until term or retirement. But in some difficult moments hard to bear, many give up and fail to finish the race. Therefore, Paul admonishes us: “be prepared in season and out of season.”(2a) We have to expect “out of season”, hard time to bear, regarding it as natural, not strange: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”(1 Pet 4:12) God balances your life with suffering and comfort in His providence. Welcome hardship whenever it is necessary for your race: “endure hardship.”(5) Further, look at the finish line, expecting the final judgment of God and longing for Jesus’ Coming (1, 8). Keep the promise in any situations, and you will finish the race.
5. For successful finishers of race, “the crown of righteousness” is prepared: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”(8) God is alive and life is fair. Even if this world is not fair enough, eternal life will be perfectly fair. Therefore, finishing our God-given race is so important and glorious.
6. When do we finish our race? It is when we are called by God: “the time has come for my departure.”(6b) Retirement is a good finish, but it is not the end. There is no retirement in Christian life. It is a quite secular idea. We have many things to do and many people to serve until we depart this world, until we pour out our every energy, use up our ability, and breathe out our last breath. Then, our Lord will welcome us in heaven. Until then, let us keep our race in any situation and let us all successfully finish our race before our Lord! Amen.
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