Recently, a friend I respect a lot was looking through the modest collection of books neatly arranged on my bookshelf. He is a man of books so; I believe his judgement on books. He pointed out two books that he felt I should read. Since I’m not a fan of big books, I started with the smaller of the two books: Finishing Strong, by Steve Farrar.
I wasn’t really prepared for what I saw in the first chapter, titled – “One out of Ten”. With confirmed statistics and examples, he revealed that only one out of ten sound gospel ministers that start the race actually finish strong. He wasn’t talking about ordinary church goers, but fire brand Men Of God. Some of the remaining nine end up as drunks; others publicly denounce the gospel, while the rest just fade away. The Bible is also awash with examples of such men: Solomon, Uzziah, Samson…
In 1945, when Billy Graham showed up on the gospel scene, Chuck Templeton and Bron Clifford were already established, packing more crowds at their meetings and doing great exploits for the Kingdom of God. By 1950, Templeton no longer believed in Jesus and by 1954, Clifford was an alcoholic. Another young minister in his twenties: John Bisagno wanted to verify this statistics and wrote names of 24 young men that were sold out for Christ. By the time he was 53, only 3 out of the 24 were still standing for Christ. It may be a good idea to do this check for yourself. Do you know anyone who has lost sight of the finishing line?
Most of these men are from different generations and lived in different parts of the world, but one strand holds them together – they never believed it could be them. From all indications they were “too defended to be victims”. Most of us actually have the same belief. Paul sounded a note of caution to the Corinthian Christians when he said: “These are all warning markers–DANGER!–in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel–they at the beginning, we at the end–and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence“.(1Cor 10: 11 – 12 MSG). If we must escape this onslaught, we must study more, meditate more and observe to do all that is written in the Word. It has never failed before. It cannot start failing now. Be encouraged!
By the way, I strongly recommend that book to you.
Chidi Ukandu's Blog 
Wow… this is dramatically truth. Let him that think he standeth take serious heed. Climbing in the Faith is like a slippery ladder. One has to be actively climbing … and in the right company.
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
and we need to be in the company of correct people who will, like Paul, remind us of the path we need to stick to!
thanks Bro!
For a man who will last long or finish strong, everyday is the beginning of the race! How did you begin today?
Reading the book finishing strong makes me to pray a prayer that says ‘Lord help me to finish strong’. I’ve found out It is easier to stumble than to stay strong.
This article reminded me of the fact that I need to take heed as a son of God since men that have been used mightily for God had stumbled.
Thanks Chidi for reminding us of the finish line even as we commence a new year.
I believe this is the time for us all to be reminded of these facts, a time where there is so much legal backing for almost anything and everything about human existence neglecting the laws of ‘HIM’ who created ‘all things’. We are not exempt at all but there is good news for those who are ready to stay strong to the end
Isa 60:1 “Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. GOD’s bright glory has risen for you.
Isa 60:2 The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, But GOD rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you.
Isa 60:3 Nations will come to your light, kings to your sunburst brightness. (MSG)
Thank you so much for this piece, the Lord continue to use you as his mouthpiece in Jesus Name
Lanre! Its an amazing book. I read it first about 12 years ago and when I reread it again, the full import wasn’t lost on me yet again. I was tempted to write Steve Farrar and ask him to write a revised edition, not just for men, but for everyone alike.
And I also want to do my own list like John Bisagno did. And review it if Christ tarries in another 30 years.
Highly recommended read.
I have discovered that self confidence is a deadly parasite, it kills before it is discovered. The grace of God becomes active when men realize that their strength is not sufficient. May His grace, uphold us to finish well,IJN.