Matthew 2: 13 Enduring The Race Unto The End
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
~ Matthew 24:13
As children of God, we are expected to endure and exercise patience while running a godly race because trials, temptation, setbacks, and discouragements will want to go way down. Still, the Bible says we should endure till the very end.
Job 1: 9 Righteous Move
The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.
~Job 17:9
This implies that you must see every aspect of your life as a sacrifice offered to God to reach your goals. Serving Christ is not something you do to win others admiration or applause. Instead, as an act of worship for Christ, you serve Him.
If others avoid you or disparage you, or if the only thing the world can give you in return for a lifetime of selfless devotion is to have your head chopped off, its acceptable since your entire life has been an offering to God. However, to finish appropriately also entails viewing yourself as a disposable resource in Gods service.
Run The Race Well By Finding Your Motivator To Run
These verses begin with laying out some of the motivation we have to run our Christian race well. That motivation is the example of those who have run it before us. Remember, this verse follows immediately on the heels of the “Hall of Faith” in chapter 11. There the author describes a whole host of committed believers who have run their race well. They are to be our examples .
More than being our examples, they are also our cheerleaders! In chapter 12 they are now referred to as a cloud of witnesses. Picture running a race on a track and the stands on every side filled with people who are cheering for you. Though we can’t see it, that’s what’s going on in the Christian life. We are surrounded by the saints who have gone on before, and that is meant to encourage us to run well.
If you have ever run a race or sat on the sidelines and watched one, you know the power of hearing people cheer one another on. Someone who is winded and barely able to lift their feet suddenly hears the voices of supporters rallying them on, and just like that they have renewed vigor and motivation to keep going! As we run our race, we must remember the example and encouragement set by all believers who have run before us, not just pillars of the faith, like Abraham and Moses . We should also remember others whom God has graciously placed in our lives: parents, siblings, pastors, teachers, friends, and mentors. Let their godly example motivate us to run well.
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Run On The Right Path
You are not going to run on a path of thorns and you are not going to run on a rocky surface with cleats on. Cleats on a rocky surface represent sin and things holding you back to run effectively on your run with God.
13. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
14. Proverbs 4:26-27 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left keep your foot from evil.
15. Isaiah 26:7 But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them.
16. Proverbs 4:18-19 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom they dont know what makes them stumble.
Finishing The Race With Joy
265420420420Scripture: Acts 20:22~24 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
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Run With A Goal In Mind And That Goal Is Christ And Doing His Will
5. Corinthians 9:26-27 That is the way I run, with a clear goal in mind. That is the way I fight, not like someone shadow boxing. No, I keep on disciplining my body, making it serve me so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified.
6. Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
7. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
8. Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead fix your gaze directly before you.
9. Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given methe task of testifying to the good news of Gods grace.
How Does Focusing On Jesus Help Us Run The Race
Hebrews 12:2b-3 says, For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Jesus paved the way for our race by finishing His victoriously, showing us what it means to run with endurance and eyes fixed on the finish line. Joyfully, Jesus endured what none of us could so that through His suffering and resurrection, we might have the privilege of running this race of faith for our reward, Jesus Christ.
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Bible Verses About Race
If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out,Then how can you compete with horses?If you fall down in a land of peace,How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
It was because of a revelation that I went up and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance,When He separated the sons of man,He set the boundaries of the peoplesAccording to the number of the sons of Israel.
I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability for time and chance overtake them all.
Breaking Down The Key Parts Of 2 Timothy : 7
#1 I have fought the good fight, A common metaphor for Paul for his life is boxing. In 1 Corinthians 9:26, he says, I do not fight like a boxer, beating the air. He also talks of being a good soldier for Christ , and of putting on the full armor of God so that we can wrestle against spiritual enemies . We must be game for life in a world that is hostile, and we must develop a heart for battle against the evil one and against our own flesh .
#2 I have finished the race, In addition to the fighting metaphors, Paul sees the Christian life of faith as a distance run with a clear path, and a clear finish line . Knowing what his goal was, he can confidently say that he has completed it. The race pathway marked out for us is the narrow Way that Christ has set us on. The clear finish line is the end of a life of obedience to God and a faith that is intact and ready for the Judgment.
#3 I have kept the faith. Paul now completely clarifies what he means by his metaphors. Keeping the faith includes maintaining his own by never turning back from the plow he has put his hand to , and fulfilling the ministry given to him by Christ on the road to Damascus. It is right for us to pray every day toward the future, Lord, keep me for the whole way. We have eternal security, but we are also exhorted to not fall away from grace, making it to the very end.
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What Does The Bible Say About Running The Race
Here is a Run the Race Bible verse to think about for a moment:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.1 Corinthians 9: 24 25
Unlike running in an actual race where only one person wins as Christians, we all win the race in the end.
Hebrews 1: 1 Despite The Hardship Hold Fast
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
~ Hebrews 12:1
Please get rid of anything that would harm our race. Let us cast off every burden and sin that so readily traps us. Run with endurance throughout our race. Let us look unto Jesus, the founder, and perfecter of our faith, and let us run the race that is set before us with perseverance.
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Philippians : 14 Persistence To The Goal
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 3:14
Jesus assures those who will prevail that they will receive enormous and spectacular benefits hereafter.
We must reflect on these promises and imitate Jesus, who suffered the cross, ignoring its humiliation, for the joy that was set before Him and is now seated at the right side of the throne of God.
Bible Verses About Running The Race
Bible verses related to Running The Race from the King James Version by Relevance
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How Do We Run The Race
Hebrews 11 and Hebrews 12 refer to the runners as people of faith, those whose lives are heading toward their Master, Jesus. Run the race verses teach us how to run. They instruct us to reach a faithful end.
1. The race begins with salvation.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast .
As depicted in the run the race verses, we run by Gods grace alone. This gift of salvation lifts the burden of personal merit. We are saved through Christ alone, the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His work through death and resurrection accomplished what our own struggle to gain eternal life cannot.
Run The Race Well With Endurance
The writer of Hebrews says that once we find our motivation and cast off our weights, we need to run with endurance the race set before us. Endurance implies that the Christian life is better compared to a marathon than a sprint. It is something that takes work, commitment, and fortitude. It can’t be completed without preparation or practiceotherwise we will burn out in no time at all. Think about it: you would not run a marathon without any preparation. You dont just show up the day of the race and expect to do well. Rather, you sign up months ahead, sometimes a year ahead. You learn what kind of course it is, if it will be hilly or flat, hot or cold, and so on.
So too in the Christian life we must prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. This is what it means to “count the cost” of following Christ. There’s a price to be paid. It won’t be easy. Discipleship requires endurance. Following Jesus will mean trial and tribulations, but we can’t allow those hindrances to cause us to give up. And indeed, if we are expecting them and are prepared for them, by the Spirit’s power we won’t give up. Thus, Peter and John both exhort us: do not be surprised or “do not be caught off guard” at the race we must run . When we see the course that is set before us, we will not be surprised. We will be ready to run, come what may.
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Why Did Paul Use Running As A Metaphor
The main reason why Bible writers use metaphors is to connect with people. They have the best messages the world can ever receive, but it would be useless if people are not able to understand them. The Olympics was highly and widely celebrated in Rome during those times. Sports was the hot topic. Everyone makes sure that they are updated.
Paul saw the opportunity to use sports and more specifically, a marathon, to explain to believers what they should expect in this race. He then compared every aspect of the race to the life of believers.
Examples Of Running In The Bible
33. 2 Samuel 18:25 So he called out and told the king. If he is alone, the king replied, he bears good news. As the first runner drew near.
34. 2 Samuel 18:26 Then the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper, Look, another man running alone! The king said, He must be bringing good news, too.
35. 2 Samuel 18:23 He said, Come what may, I want to run. So Joab said, Run! Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.
36. 2 Samuel 18:19 Then Zadoks son Ahimaaz said, Let me run to the king with the good news that the LORD has rescued him from his enemies.
37. Psalm 19:5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
38. 2 Kings 5:21So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. Is everything all right? he asked.
39. Zechariah 2:4 and said to him: Run, tell that young man, Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it.
40. 2 Chronicles 23:12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and the shouts of praise to the king, she hurried to the LORDs Temple to see what was happening.
41. Isaiah 55:5 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.
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Running Is A Great Way To Let Go And Leave The Past Behind Us
As Christians we run and we leave the bitterness, the regret, and our past failures behind. We move on from all that stuff. With running you cant look back or it will slow you down, you have to keep on looking forward.
10. Philippians 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,
11. Job 17:9 The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.
12. Isaiah 43:18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Hebrews : 2 Faith In Christ
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
~ Hebrews 12:2
It will take a lot of endurance, tenacity, patience, and resolve to win this marathon. Victory requires that we continue running with unwavering determination and perseverance until we cross the finish line triumphantly.
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Philippians : 12 Variation Of Race
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
~ Philippians 3:12
God has set out for you a unique race that will lead you on an adventure. The path that leads to a life like Jesus is the same for everyone, but the journey varies from person to person. So avoid comparing your track to that of another person.