Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
The Christian life is a race. But, it is a unique one in that, when you enter the race, you are assured of victory.
You are assured of an everlasting crown. (1 Peter 5:4)
You are assured of a great reward. (Colossians 3:24)
You are assured that you will triumph over the enemy and death. (1 Corinthians 15: 54-57)
But, receiving all of this will depend on how you run the race.
How Are You Running Your Race?
It is not enough to just run the Christian race. Whilst victory and reward are guaranteed at the end, they are only promised to those who stay focused. To those whose eyes are always on the prize of heaven and whose steps ensure that they will get there. (Revelation 2:26)
Is that how you’re running your race?
If not, how are you running it?
Are you strolling along and becoming distracted and ensnared by the pleasures and cares of life? (Luke 8:14) Or do you have one foot on the heavenly track and the other in the world? (James 4:4) Are your steps more likely to lead you to or away from the beautiful prize of heaven? (Romans 2:5-10)
Maybe you haven’t really given much thought to how you’ve been running your Christian race. But it’s time you start.
And it’s time you start ensuring that you are running it in the right way.
Running Your Race The Right Way
It’s true that you are saved by the grace of God and not by your works. But the Bible makes it clear that your works must line up with your faith. (James 2:14-26) If they do not, you will miss out on the wonderful reward of heaven as revealed in this verse:
but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. (Romans 2:8-9 ESV)
So, you need to ensure that your works do not disqualify you and keep you from getting victory. But how do you do that?
You start with the small things.
Be Consistent in the Small Things
If you want to run your race well, you must be consistent in the small things. Those are, prayer and reading the Word of God.
It is through prayer that you speak to God and through the Word of God that you can hear from Him.
As a Christian you need to be in constant communion with God, especially if you are going to be able to run your race properly. These two things will help you do that.
Another important thing is meditating and thinking on the Word of God. When you do this you, you will begin acting on what you have read. This will enable you to be a doer of God’s Word and ensure that your works are consistent with the faith you declare. (James 1:22)
As you are diligent and faithful in these small areas, you will find that you will start being diligent and faithful in greater ones. Then you will start running your race in the right way.
Lean on God
As much as you have a part to play, you will not receive your final reward and victory simply by trying really hard and trusting in your own goodness. You need the help of God.
So as you do those things mentioned before, remember to lean on God. For it is by the grace of God that you will be able to run your race well and finish it victoriously.
Rely on His Holy Spirit and rest in His abundant grace, knowing that He is the only One who is able to preserve you and present you as blameless at the end. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Pray For Help
Finally, simply pray for God to help you and give you the grace and enablement to run your race in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Ask Him to keep you from being distracted by life and the things of this world; ask Him to help you stay focused on Him and the prize that lies ahead.
Pray and ask Him to help you endure, persevere and stay consistent so that at the end, you can say as Paul did:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith
(2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV)
Ask, and you will receive, for the Lord gives graciously to all those who ask. (Matthew 6:7-11)
