Running The Race

Topics

1 Corinthians 9:24, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Acts 9:1-19, Colossians 1:11, Endurance, Growing, Hebrews 10:36, Hebrews 12:1-3, Matthew 24:13, Paul, Philippians 3:12, Philippians 3:13-14, Salvation, Sanctification, Strength

Olympic runner Dave Wottle can teach us something about running a race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=120Bi0vhRPg. In the Bible, the Apostle Paul describes the process of sanctification (growing in Christ) like a marathon, “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13–14). He has spent his adult life serving Christ, and even though he is an apostle, he has matured and grown in his walk with Jesus. Remember that. The apostle Paul grew as a follower of Christ! Paul didn’t have his Damascus experience (Acts 9:1–19) and become a super Christian. In fact, he says earlier in Philippians, “not that I have already obtained all this … but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). Sanctification isn’t a sprint or a dash but a long marathon, with twists and turns. It isn’t about speed but endurance.