Discipline
in a Long-Distance Race
1-3Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who
blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on
with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no
parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race
we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was
headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything
along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of
honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go
over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed
through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Paul describes living as a Christian as a race.
Some of you are thrilled that NASCAR is racing again and with Daytona completed
on Monday night the season is off to a thrilling start unless of course your
driver did not fair to well in the race. One friend of mine Mark decided to go
Monday afternoon at 1pm thinking no one would be there. He was wrong but got
tickets and his driver won. I was thrilled for Mark and all of Matt Kenseth’s
fans. Racing has all kinds of strategies that vary upon the situation with
track, track condition, equipment etc. If following Christ is a race then what
kind of strategy do we have! It’s found right here in Hebrews 12:1-3.
Review When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over
that story again, item by item,(MSG) Reread the gospels
possibly a Lent thing to do. Who is Jesus? What troubles, obstacles did he
face? How did he navigate the rough seas of life and living? Then continue to
run like him.
Accept that long litany of hostility he plowed
through.(MSG) Many of us spend our entire lives trying to
avoid problems. Trying to live the “good life” and by that we mean easy,
problem free life. That is not the life that wins the race and if you thought
Christ lived such a life you have not read his story. There comes a time to
accept that to follow Christ is to deal with hardships. There is a Pastor
sentenced to death in Iran because of his faith. You may ask how could God
allow that to happen? I would ask, how could God let his own son die?
Courage
you will not lose your purpose or your
courage (Phillips) The example of Christ is a powerful thing both from
perspective and for position. When we study Him and his example we see where we
stand in the order of life in relation to where he stands. He is the one who
lives in us and is with us and never leaves nor forsakes us. That brings
courage. That drives us to action in the face of fear!
Excitement That will shoot adrenaline into your
souls! (MSG) Following Jesus has never been safe nor boring.
The boring part is our sin nature making excuses. I mean how much fun did you
have if you can’t remember it because of the “fun” of which you did partake
(read that again)? National Geographic
has an article this month on the disciples and their lives and adventure. Sure
seems outrageous that 12 unlearned men went and did so much because of this
Christ.
Did
you see the Win?
It is in verse 2.
Keep your eyes on
Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it.
Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in
and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame,
whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
Hebrews 12:2?? The Message
How about
that race strategy? It is better than Daytona any day because on That Day we
will be more than victors. We will rule and reign with Christ forever in God’s
Kingdom.
In HIS
Service and Yours,
The Rev
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