Over the many years of my life as a believer I don’t know how many times I have heard our relationship with God referred to as walk. However, scripture has also referred to this life of faith as a race to be run. Anyone who runs a race runs to win the prize.
Let’s think about this idea of running a little practically and less figuratively for a moment.
If you have ever watched running, or even more so been a runner, you know that runners where as little and light a clothing and shoes as possible. In fact, many runners, especially those who run long distances, are often very thin in their physique as well. Why do they choose to be thin and wear clothing that is as light? It’s quite simple, the less weight the easier and faster one can run.
Ok, if apply thIs principle back to the figurative race, then Romans 12:1 makes total sense. We need to cast off and lay aside anything that slows us down as we run the race that is before us. There are so many layers to that seemingly very basic statement. I will just make a couple of simple statements.
We must let go of every sin, mistake and failure from the past laying them at His feet and allowing His love ans forgiveness to heal is.
We also must lay aside anything in the present that is a distraction which takes our eyes off of the goal of finishing the race and winning the prize.
Jesus himself was clear and direct when He was asked what the greatest commandment was, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
One final thought on running the race. Just as the end of Romans 12:1 says it, we must “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Unfortunately , the race we are running is not a sprint on an easy straightaway without challenges or obstacles. It is more like a cross-country race with twists, turns, hills, and valleys. We must have endurance and perseverance in order to successfully navigate these obstacles.
So my dear friends, as Paul said, “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
Don’t Walk RUN!
Hebrews 12:1
[1] Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,
1 Corinthians 9:24, 26
[24] Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
Philippians 3:14
[14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Matther 22:37-38
37 And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment.