Don’t be like the tortoise or the hare. Get in the race for the long haul. Train for the endurance marathon so you will be prepared for hardships that will come.
The Christian life is an endurance race
Jesus Christ has finished the work of our salvation. He has given us everything we need for living a life equipped for every good work. Now, he asks us to live our lives for him. He asks us to make him the Lord of our lives. This isn’t a one-time emotional event, it is a life-long endurance race to the glory at the finish line.
Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. So I run-but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box-but not as if I were just shadow boxing. Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 GWT)
My child, find your source of strength in the kindness of Christ Jesus. You’ve heard my message, and it’s been confirmed by many witnesses. Entrust this message to faithful individuals who will be competent to teach others. Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Whoever serves in the military doesn’t get mixed up in non-military activities. This pleases his commanding officer. Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules. A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops. Understand what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. (2 Timothy 2:1-7)
It’s not that I’ve already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Whoever has a mature faith should think this way. And if you think differently, God will show you how to think. However, we should be guided by what we have learned so far. (Philippians 3:12-16 GWT)
Encouragement to endurance
We all need some encouragement in an endurance race. In a marathon, supporters gather near the end and cheer on the runners. In the Christian life, we bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and encourage each other to keep on keeping on.
Everything written long ago was written to teach us so that we would have confidence through the endurance and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. May God, who gives you this endurance and encouragement, allow you to live in harmony with each other by following the example of Christ Jesus. Then, having the same goal, you will praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:4-6 GWT)
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:11-12 NIV)
But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. (2 Timothy 3:10-13 NLT)
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17 NLT)
The result of running with endurance
If we get in that endurance race, for the honor and glory of the Lord, prepared to throw our trophies at his feet (Revelation 4), then there is an incredible reward awaiting us.
Since we are surrounded by so many examples [of faith], we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 GWT)
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT)
And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. (1 Peter 5:1-4 NLT)
Next steps
- We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) – We have to live by trusting God by faith because we don’t have the sight to see his appearance yet. But someday…
- Whose faith follow (Hebrews 13:7) – The Bible commands us to follow our leader’s faith as they live it out in practical work of faith and labor of love.
- Failure to read and apply the Bible causes spiritual wasting disease – Failure to read the Bible and failure to apply the Bible results in a progressive spiritual wasting disease that can be eternally fatal
Featured photos: https://www.pexels.com/photo/jogger-jogging-sport-marathon-3629/ from skitterphoto.com (CC0) and https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-gray-crew-neck-shirt-running-on-brown-soil-during-daytime-34495/ from pixabay.com (CC0)