| GO THE DISTANCE |
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Living the life of a believer is often equated in the Bible to being a runner in a race. In the race of a Christian, however, they run against themselves to determine their rewards. It is not a race to determine whether they have eternal life or not. That is determined by their knowledge of the Savior. When you turned from your sin, believing that Jesus Christ was the only one who could save you and that He paid the complete penalty for your sins by His death on the cross - that is the moment you put on your running shoes.
Back when I was in school I was involved in track & field. I was a sprinter. My job was to race over a short distance with an all out burst of speed to get to the finish line. Unlike a sprinter, my believer’s run is more like the long distance or marathon runner who is more interested in finishing the marathon than in racing or running for time.
Physical runners prepare by doing a series of long runs to build up their endurance. Spiritual runners need to develop a training program as well, (ie. – prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship with the brethren, communion etc.) to get the strength they need to go the distance. Winning the prize will involve some temperance on our part, it will involve suffering, it will involve us striving against our flesh. We are competing for the victor’s crown, one that is eternal and incorruptible and there must be a definite aim and discipline involved if we hope to attain the prize.
So, how do we do this? G-R-A-C-E. We need to take our focus off of ourselves and off of sin and run with the Savior. When we are tempted to slow down or give up, we need to call to remembrance what Jesus endured for us and know that he can identify with all of our struggles. Though at times we may stumble, he will give us the wisdom and strength to take the necessary steps to draw closer to him and cast off all of those weights that so easily beset us.
Philippians 3:12-14 - Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. |
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