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Scripture describes several people who were faithful to God until the end of their lives, and scripture also describes several people who were not faithful. Life is a marathon, not a sprint, and that marathon has many twists, turns, and surprises that are completely unexpected. We would be wise to anticipate some challenges that might await us as we grow older, learn from scripture’s biographies, both good and bad, and build that determination to finish life faithfully.     

God Warns Us to Be Faithful to the End

Jesus warns us that “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13 NKJV). Such warnings as this are complemented by promises that genuine Christ-followers will indeed persevere to the end. For example, Philippians 1:6 tells us that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (NKJV). To each of the 7 churches in Revelation, Jesus promises a reward for those who overcome (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; Rev. 3:5,12, 21).

Some Who Were Not Faithful to the End

Toward the end of King Saul’s life, the prophet Samuel died. Saul apparently felt as though he had no one to inquire of the Lord for him, because he consulted a witch to bring up Samuel (1Samuel 28:7-15) even though attempting to contact the dead was absolutely forbidden in scripture (Leviticus 20:6, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Samuel confirmed the futility of contacting himself, and then prophesied Saul’s death for the next day (1 Samuel 28:16-19).     

Scripture tells us, “When Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David” (1 Kings 11:4 NKJV). Indeed, Solomon’s gathering of many wives violated an Old Testament law that was designed to guard his heart (Deuteronomy 17:17).   Unfortunately, Solomon seems to have never recovered from this idolatry. His unfaithfulness led to several adversaries, a prominent rebellion by Jeroboam, and sowed the seeds of a divided kingdom under Solomon’s son, Rehoboam (1 Kings 11-12).

Some of the other kings of Judah had seasons of faithfully following the Lord. However, the end of their reigns was notable by their unfaithfulness. King Asa negotiated a treaty with the ungodly King Ben-Hadad of Syria, and then Asa oppressed some of his opposition. At the conclusion of his life King Asa had a severe foot disease, and scripture records that “in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:12 NKJV).

In the New Testament, Demas was a fellow worker with the Apostle Paul, and is mentioned in some of Paul’s epistles (Colossians 4:14, Philemon 24). However, toward the end of Paul’s life, Demas left Paul’s ministry team. Paul described Demas departure by writing that “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV). The Greek wording indicates “to utterly abandon” (John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd ed., 2019).

An Example of Faithfulness to the End

In contrast, Paul himself is an example of a believer who was indeed faithful until the end of his life, despite all the persecution that he endured over several years. Paul wrote to Timothy at the end of Paul’s life, and described his own commitment to the end, “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).

 

Lessons that Lead to Faithfulness

Realize that temptations and trials will continue to come, even as we battle failing health (such as with King Asa) or other factors of aging. Although our health may weaken, our continued seeking the fellowship with the Lord sustains us (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

As we do things that God promises to bless, remember that God’s timing is often different than our timing, so do not give up just because we tend to think that God should have blessed by now. 

We must always be building greater and greater faithfulness. Spending more time with the Lord and seeking ever closer fellowship with Him. Let’s remember that even as we get older, the Lord continues to reward those that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

Developing friendships is one of the most important factors that lead to happiness. It also helps us to stand strong against the trials of daily life (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). As a part of those friendships, we need to encourage others to stay faithful. Hebrews 3:13-14 tells us to “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (NKJV).