TOPIC:“Running To Win The Race”
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Hebrews 12:1, 2
“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”
Andrew Murray, in his book on Hebrews, The Holiest of All, reminds his readers that “one of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is remaining stationary, and not advancing beyond the beginnings of Christ.” I fully agree! For when this happens it eventually leads to backsliding and sin. That is why the writer of Hebrews encourages Christians to press on to the perfection of their faith.
Now the Christian life is portrayed in the Bible in many various ways. Paul thought of it not only as a walk, not only as a warfare, but as a race. He pictured himself as a runner. Perhaps he was thinking of the Grecian games and the Greek runner at this point. To Paul, there was a goal to reach and a crown to win. The Christian life to him was not stationary, but steady. Not motionless, but moving. Not anchored, but advancing. Think of his words to the Corinthians at this point: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain…I therefore so run” (I Corinthians 9:24, 26).
Let us consider now some of the things needed in running the Christian race. Here they are:
I.
To begin with, think of the SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS needed for the race. The writer of Hebrews declares in verse 1: “Let us run.” We are now in the process of running the race. Consider what is needed.
For one thing, there must be a COURSE. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy these words: “I have finished my course” (II Timothy 4:7). The athletic arena, the running track, in which we run is the road of life which stretches out before our gaze. Usually, but certainly not always, the course we run is at least seventy years in length. It is not a sprint, but a long distance race. The course is not finished in a day, but takes a life time to complete. And let us never forget as Christians that God Himself selects the road, decides the way, and chooses the path each one of us must go.
For another thing, there must be CONCENTRATION. Paul writes to the Philippians: “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth…I press toward the mark” (3:13,14). Phillips renders these words to read: “But I do concentrate on this: I leave the past behind and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal.” There is in these . . .