But in Scripture, life is described as a race. The race described in the Bible differs from the race the world is running.
The world’s race is cutthroat.
The world’s race is about oneself, not about glorifying God.
The world’s race changes the rules without notice.
The world’s race creates stress, havoc, unrest, wars, division, and dissension.
The world’s race doesn’t end with an eternal reward, but with eternal damnation.
People who don’t know Jesus run a competitive race, but God, through His Word, describes the believers’ race, and it is different from the world’s race.
The following verses help us to understand God’s view of the race His people are running:
The Apostle Paul describes the race in Philippians 3:13-14 in this way: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This race is not competitive with others, but is focused on God, and what matters to Him – “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. It is a life focused on Jesus, and sharing His Gospel with as many people as possible, while His people press on in obedience to Him.
The world rewards the winner of a race, as Paul states here: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?” Paul exhorts the believers to run as if they want to be the winner. So run that you may obtain it. The believers’ race is run with self-control: Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. The world’s reward is perishable, but believers receive an eternal reward: They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable [reward]. Believers’ run with their eyes on their Goal –Jesus: So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. Believers persevere with integrity: But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
The believers’ race is run with our eyes on Jesus: Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Believers understand that the race is arduous. Our race requires faith in the unseen living God. Our prize is “the crown of righteousness” – a gift from the Lord, and not anything we earn by running the race. Our running the race proves that we are in a true relationship with God. Our prize is shared by all who run His race. 2 Timothy 4:7-9: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing. Do your best to come to me soon.”
Galatians 5:7: “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” In a race, should a runner get distracted, it can hinder one from obtaining the prize. Our sinful desires are a distraction in our race. Not spending daily time with the Lord, in Word and prayer, is a hindrance to our race, because God’s Word and prayer facilitate our race. Satan and the allure of the world can be hindrances to our race.
How we live our lives will determine the outcome of our race. When our eyes are focused on the Lord, then how we run the race diminishes in light of the One to whom we are racing. Glorifying God through how we run our race, serves to be a testimony to Him, and His Gospel of grace. Acts 20:24: “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Believers are not running a race to gain salvation. Salvation can never be earned. It is a free gift from God, at the expense of the Lord Jesus, who willingly gave His life on the cross so that we could be redeemed from our sin, and reconciled to God.
The believers’ race proves that salvation has actually occurred. The way we run it is different from how the world runs their race.
The believer does not run a haphazard race, but a race with a single goal, to glorify God. It is for a spiritual reward. That reward is to be with Jesus for all eternity.
What race are you running? If it is not God’s race, then why not commit your life to Christ, and change direction so that you are running to glorify Him, for the eternal prize of being with Jesus?
Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com if I can help you run God’s race.
Living for Jesus, Donna
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Copyright 2023 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.