We Christians are not living peaceful, quiet lives; no, we are running a race, putting forth every effort into it. We are running this race not only for a little while, but for our entire life.
The Apostle Paul writes, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
The athletes who are running a race do not carry anything heavy with them, because it would hinder them from winning the race.
Paul also wrote that in order to win the race, we must put away sin, and every weight. The weight may not always be sinful, but it could take our time, our strength, and our money. The weight could be hobbies, vacations, social involvements, collecting interesting items, and many other things that take our time from missionary work, from Bible reading, and from attending all church meetings.
Not everyone who becomes a Christian will finish the race. There will be a large number of professing Christians who will not finish the race. They did not put away every sin, and every weight, and this neglect made them not finish the race.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NKJV
In our world today there are over two billion Christians who belong to different church organizations, and they all expect to be in heaven and have eternal life; but most of them will be lost in the end. Even in the very church of God there are members who will not be in heaven. They were running the race, but did not put every effort into it.
Jesus said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13:24
When someone buys a lottery ticket, he does not know if he will win the prize or not. But the race that we are running is not a gamble; we can know if we are winners before the race is even over.
Paul was still living and still running the race when he knew that he was saved, that he will be in heaven, and that he was a winner. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7–8
We also know if we are saved by the seal of the Holy Spirit. “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30
“After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” 2 Corinthians 1:22
When the Holy Spirit enters our hearts, that moment we are saved. If we would die while the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we would be in heaven in the end; but if we stop running the race suddenly, then the Holy Spirit would leave us.
Jesus said, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33
Many try not to invest too much, because it seems so risky. They may say, “maybe I am not good enough for heaven, and I also would lose the enjoyment and pleasure of sin.”
To lose 20 dollars in the lottery is not too much, but to lose all for heaven and not to gain heaven would be too much to lose. Many risk little time and money on religion, hoping that they may win and have eternal life.
Peter writes, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12
Do not leave your salvation in the hands of others. No, you must do it yourself. If you run the race faithfully to the end, and give to God all that you have, then God will give you the Holy Spirit as a seal; a promise of eternal life.
How do you know that you have the Holy Spirit? It is very clear because when the Holy Spirit does enter into you, you will produce the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Galatians 5:22–23
When you can love even your enemies, and you have continuous joy, always rejoicing, faith to move mountains, then you know that the Holy Spirit is in you, and that you are winning the race.
Paul took an example of the worldly games, where only one gained the victory, but all competitors put forth rigid discipline and practice in order to win. “Such is not the case in Christian warfare. Not one who complies with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race. Not one who is earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win who, through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to the will of Christ. The practice, in the details of life, of the principles laid down in God’s word, is too often looked upon as unimportant—a matter too trivial to demand attention. But in view of the issue at stake, nothing is small that will help or hinder. Every act casts its weight into the scale that determines life’s victory or defeat. And the reward given to those who win will be in proportion to the energy and earnestness with which they have striven.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 313–314
Paul writes, “For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” 1 Corinthians 4:9
We are doing nothing in secret, there are many spectators watching us running the race. God Himself is watching us constantly, angels watch us very closely, the people in the unfallen worlds are watching us; and on this world, where we live, many people are keeping their eyes on us.
The heavenly spectators are very much concerned about our running the race. They rejoice when we make progress, but are sorrowful when we are slowing down. Jesus wept for the people whom He tried to save.
Let us put out every effort in order to finish the race. Ask for God’s help to strengthen you to run to the very end, faithfully. You will be thankful for it for all eternity. Satan wants to slow you down into a life of quiet living, which means you will not finish the race. Daily you must see the advancement you are making in running toward perfection of character. We all can be winners in this race. Amen.
Timo Martin