TEXT: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Timothy 2:5
In the world of sport; all athletes run to get the prize,
they are all competing for the prize. None of them wants to run the race
aimlessly, none of them would say “I want to come last in the competition.”
No matter the type of race any athlete is running, be it
hundred meter or marathon, the runner cannot finish with the same energy and
strength he started with. His strength will be reducing as he continues the
race. That is why some runners end up coming last in the race.
When competing in a race, your chance of winning depends
on the amount of strength you have left before getting to the finish line. Some
athlete started their race well with full energy and strength, but before
getting to the finish line, they go out of strength, some may fall and people
that are coming behind them overtake and win the race.
In the same vein, the Christian race is similar to the
race I explained above. We are all running the race to get a prize- that is to
make heaven. Every believer wants to make heaven, we want to get the prize and
reign with Christ in eternity. Running the race is not an easy task; it takes
the grace of God to finish well.
Along the Christian race, you will be faced with some
obstacles that can hinder you, distractions that can cause you to lose focus,
and storms that may want to blow you out of track. Hebrew 12:1 says “ Therefore
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders us and the sin that easily entangles, and let us run
with perseverance the race that is marked out for us.” It is not all that
started the race that will finish well. Some started the race with full level
of energy and strength, but ran out of strength during obstacles, distractions
and storm.
Some fell while running the race and gave up by refusing
to stand up. God has made provision for everything we would need to run the
race, grace and mercy are available, His strength also makes perfect in
weakness (11 Corinthians 12:9). If you are weak to carry on, call on him to
renew your strength, He said those that wait upon the lord shall renew their
strength. We need to go to God often to “charge” our spiritual battery because
without Him we can do nothing.
Some believers fell during the race and they stopped
running, instead of them to continue the race they start to condemn themselves.
The scripture says if the RIGHTEOUS fall seven times, he shall stand
again, this shows that anybody can fall.
If you fall; don’t stay there, go to God in genuine repentance,
He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness
(1 John 1:9) The devil is busy planting things that can cause believers to fall
during their race, he is the accuser of brethren, but our God is a merciful
God. He does not want any sinner to die in their sin, He said whoever comes to
Him He will no wise cast away.
No matter how far you might have gone into sin, don’t give
up your Christian race, stand up and continue the race, in repentance go to
Him, He said if your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow
(Isaiah 1:18). At the same time we should not abuse the grace of God upon our
lives. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We cannot
continue in sin and ask grace to abound (Romans 6:1)
Let us all continue to run our heavenly race so that we
would get the prize of glory; the race is not for perishable crown but for the
crown that will last forever!
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