The Race of the Faith
Using an Athlete as an example, all runners run with a single/same purpose which is to receive a medal but with different strategy and different training. The same thing applies to us as Christians. The set race differs but our goal is the same; which is bringing lost souls back to the kingdom. That is our identity/purpose.That is why we do not need to compete with ourselves as a Christian.
Even though we do not start the race at the same time, we still have the same goal. Our starting point for the race is the day we accept Christ. The period of time an individual starts his or her race doesn’t mean he or she will not achieve the purpose of the race. Apostle Paul was still able to achieve a lot even though he did not started the race when other apostles started.
1Cor 9:19-26- Everything Apostle Paul was talking about in this scripture is towards one objective but he is using different means depending on the people he met to make sure that they are not lost. He make sure he was speaking to them in a way they can understand the gospel he was preaching. He made himself equal to everyone just for a purpose.Apostle Paul was intentional about the race. He made up his mind from the beginning.
The race set before us is not a short time race. It is not a race that has a specific time, it is a life-time race. It is a marathon race. Not stopping by the road-side. The reward is imperishable so we must run this race set before us till the end. And once we have made up our mind, nothing can discourage/stop us.
Whether we like it or not, there will be persecution,hindrances and the likes just to discourage us but when w make up our mind that we are going to get to the end of the race, then we will get there.
2.
The race only starts when you accept Christ, but the race has been set even before you were born. God told Jeremiah that before he was born he knew him. The race is older than usvbecause it was set by the God who knows the end from the beginning.
Everybody’s race is peculiar to them. Your race may look like somebody else’s but it’s never the same. Scriptures says anyone that puts his hand on the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom. There will be distractions but you must make up your mind to run this race to the end because of the crown of righteousness set before us. That should be our focus.
Jesus already went through this path. He endured the cross because of the joy set before him and the joy was because he knew that he would meet his father soon and sit with him on the throne.
We need to continue to pray for the will of God to be done. We need to continue to look unto Jesus because that’s where we will continue to draw strength. There are bound to be difficulties but God is always there for us. His ears are always open to the cry of the righteous and we are the righteousness of God. We are “the redeemed.” We have been bought over so we stand as the righteousness of the father.
There are two things worthy of note. Every successful athlete that we celebrate must have passed through a period of preparation and training, for years to perfect his skills. He has a target in mind which is his motivation. He keeps on practicing with the help of his coach.
As Christians we need a preparation time with the coach, who is the Holy Spirit because he is the one that knows the mind of God, so when you listen to him, you receive instructions that are in line with the will of God for your life. He is our coach and trainer so we don’t have to neglect him.
The training involves studying and meditating on the word of God. It involves the sacrifice of time in prayers. These are some of the training we need to undergo in the course of the race. The Holy Spirit is our trainer.
3.
There is a level you get to that such things will not scare you.
There is a level of growth you experience that helps you deal with situations but when you are not rooted you begin to see the issues as mountain before you.
To get to this point, we need to subject ourselves to training and engage.
We need to engage the
Growth in the race of faith is not determined by ones number of years but by the willingness a man has to grow. His level of submission.
During preparation time people don’t knows us.
But when we emerge as a winner they notice us. Just as athletes prepare for a race same way do we in faith and we run till we lay hold on the prize.
As a coach trains his athletes so does the Holy Spirit.
To run this race well, there is a need for a renewed mind. Romans 12:2
The renewal of our mind with the word of God has to be a continuous things for us as believers.
Paul encouraged Timothy in this wise to study to show himself approved.
2 Timothy 2:15
Studying the word is not for just you alone it is for you to effectively reach out to lost souls.
While Holy Spirit of God trains us all that is required to run the race comes alive.
We have to be intentional about growing.
God backs up the race he sets before you not the one you set for yourself.
If you are on the race God sets for you, there is confidence whenever you are faced with a difficulty that God is your sufficiency.
While Holy Spirit of God trains us all that is required to run the race comes alive.
We have to be intentional about growing.
God backs up the race he sets before you not the one you set for yourself.
If you are on the race God sets for you, there is confidence whenever you are faced with a difficulty that God is your sufficiency.
THE REASON FOR THE RACE
The why of the faith race begins at the point of salvation.
The wisest thing to do is to ask God what he will have you do after being saved like Paul did.
Acts 9:6
We need to ask when we don’t know what the Lord will have us do.
Paul was very intentional.
He was persuaded of what the Lord has asked him to do that when the storm came he went on knowing he would not perish.
Believing in what the Lord has said and what he has pronounced concerning us will help us run the race.
We were called to do the work based on what was set before our salvation.
Our zealous works mostly don’t count if they are not in line with the purpose of God which is winning souls into the Kingdom.