This journey in which we are in is really a race. I love the saying "We were born to prepare for death." As a Pastor I continually see people claiming to be IN the race, but it is clear to all around them that they are not. This saddens me greatly, because IF one isn't truly in the race, then they will have eternal ramifications. Paul tells us this in 2 Timothy 2:5 "Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." Look at it this way, "If a football player catches a pass, or runs the ball, and does not cross the goal line, then he will not make the touchdown. IF he does not cross the goal line and steps out of bounds, or only goes 99 yards, then he will not be awarded the touchdown." A field goal kicker can kick as many field goals as he wants, but unless they travel through the upright, he will not be awarded the points. If a track star runs a race and then decides to 'cut' across, it is clear by what Paul has said, that he will not receive the prize for winning.
The writer of Acts 2:24 says "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me, the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." 1 Cor. 9:24 says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one get's the prize? Run in such away." In Galatians 5:7 Paul writes "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" What about Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by a cloud of great witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that entangles, and let us run with perseverence the race marked out before us." last but not least, Paul leaves us with these words of Wisdom before he leaves this earth "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
We all start off after repenting and comitting our lives to His Lordship, running 'The Race.' We start off strong and have every intention to stay strong until the end. Now, here is the mirror of truth. Are we still runnign hard towards Jesus? Are we still putting off any and everything that hinders us? Have we allowed shallow teaching, and our own opinions to keep us from running the race in which one day we will receive the prize, eternal life with Christ Jesus? Are we running as if only one will get the prize?
Today the majority of professing Christians will say that they are in the race, but they are not willing to endure, overcome, and persevere here on earth in order to receive the prize. They use every excuse in the book to get out of serving others, being part of a body of believers (Not a member, but part of), dying daily and picking up their crosses. "I'm tired, I am swamped, I had a bad day, I am not going to be at the church everytime the doors are open, the surf is good, the fish are biting, I don't have time, etc. Can it be possible for them to still when the prize? According to scripture they are not competeing by the rules. There is no dying to self, no coming after Jesus, no taking up of the cross, no serving, no giving of finances, and yet they think that they are still in the race.
Today, we can all get back inot the race. We can give it 100% and be sure that in the end we will receive the prize of our salvation. Jesus Himself said that many will try to get in by another gate. What gate are we standing in front of? Have we slipped on our Track shoes, or ar we comfortable in our house shoes? There is a great cloud of witnesses watching from above, and even rooting for us to win the race that is set out before us. Will we finish the race strong~
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