It’s the Olympic games. The runners have all lined up at the starting line. The signal blasts—and they’re off!
Arms driving, legs stretching, hearts pounding—years of training and pain have culminated in this one, critical moment of courage and conflict.
The noise of the crowd swells to a deafening pitch, as they are held in suspense. It’s anyone’s race—until that one champion finally pulls out ahead of the pack, exhilarated to win the prize.
In each and every race, this common purpose can be found: the undeniable struggle to win. To be the conqueror, or to be conquered by something or someone else.
In the Bible, our path of faith as Christians is likened to a spiritual “race.” And if you have believed in Christ Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you are in it.
You, my friend, are in the race of a lifetime. And the way you run carries more significance and influence than any Olympic game.
God’s expectation for you isn’t that you simply show up and participate. You must run to win.
The apostle Paul describes it this way:
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
(Hebrews 12:1)
Again, he exhorts:
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:”
(1 Corinthians 9:24, 26)
What especially stands out in these verses is that the race is not some uncertain contest, but a calculated struggle to the very finish line.
Many runners who started off strong and sprinting have lost heart, lost hope, or just lost sight of that all-important finish line.
Are you one of them?
Allow me to be your coach, for just a little while.
Right now, you may feel like you aren’t good enough—but this race isn’t about your natural strength or abilities. This race is spiritual.
And Satan—the enemy of your soul— is working overtime to devalue the gospel message, and discourage anyone he can.
But you can win this race. In fact, it’s already won for you. All you need is an understanding of the rules and conditions. By knowing the rules, and applying them to your strategy, you will know who you are—and who you are destined to become.
A winner.
-Rules for Running Your Race-
Rule #1: Run Like You Are Not of This World
“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”
(John 17:14-18)
What a beautiful declaration by Christ Jesus. You are not of this world, even as He is not of this world! Let that sink in for a minute.
You have crossed over—from the fallen nature of sin, and it’s path of destruction—into a realm of new life and liberty with your Lord.
But how can you still live here, in this present world, and yet not be of it?
Imagine that you are a passenger on that ill-fated ship, the Titanic, on its maiden voyage in 1912. And let’s say that you got there in a time machine, so that you know history ahead of time. You understand that the vessel you are on—one proclaimed “unsinkable” by its builders—is going to hit a huge iceberg and sink.
You’re just a guest on board. You don’t own the ship. You are simply passing from one port to another, on that fateful journey. It will end tragically, but that doesn’t make you a victim.
Because you see, you’re not just any passenger. Your very presence infuses the situation with purpose.
And so, knowing what you know—you understand who you really are, and why you are on board. You realize that your sole mission is to warn as many fellow passengers as you can, before the inevitable events take place.
It’s a matter of life and death that you get the word out. Sure—many won’t listen to you, or even believe you. Many will be lost. But that doesn’t stop you.
Because every soul on board should have the opportunity to hear and heed the warning. And this thought—not lifeboats, life jackets, icy cold water and terror—is paramount in your mind.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
(Romans 12:2)
Your race is not only a spiritual struggle, but a mental one. As you submit to God’s word and His purposes, He renews your mind—over and over again. And you are transformed into the person He always planned for you to be.
You won’t win the race if you are conformed to this world. The unbelieving world around you isn’t even in the race. Nor can they understand it, because their minds are blinded to the truth of God’s word.
But since you know and value Christ Jesus, you now see the world through your new eyes of faith. And you know that you can’t waste your life by dropping out of the race. You don’t allow yourself to be distracted and led astray by the shiny enticements of this world.
Stay in the race, and stay in your lane. Seek the will of God in your life. Run for it. Reach for it. Fight for it. Prove God faithful—prove Him.
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.”
(1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
(1 Corinthians 2:12-14)
The unbelieving world thinks that we’re just a bunch of fools, who believe in fairy tales. But you are being renewed and transformed, and are entered into the race of a lifetime.
The crowds may boo and hiss, or even confront you from the sidelines. But please ignore them. And forgive them. They don’t realize what they are doing. Man’s natural wisdom has no way to discern God’s magnificent plans for those who love Him.
Don’t allow the world’s disapproval to hold you back. Get your eyes on the prize. Hold your head up high and run to win. Be the very best “fool” you can be for your Lord and Savior.
Rule #2: Run Like The World is Passing Away
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
(1 John 2:15-17)
This is a really big deal. It might make you or break you.
Do you really understand what’s at stake—if you love the world?
Many a wonderful Christian runner has been sidelined by loving the wrong things, holding the wrong values or attitudes, or fixing their eyes on things they longed for, but should have looked away from.
What is it about the human heart that brings a person down, when they should have been out there, running to win?
It is the “triple threat” the bible warns us about:
- the lust of the flesh (I want what I want.)
- the lust of the eyes (That’s just too good to pass up.)
- and the pride of life (I deserve that and I’m going to have it.)
The enticements of this world can be terribly strong. You can’t reason them away. This is where the “renewing of your mind” really comes in.
Relying on your closest ally, the Holy Spirit, is what you must do—along with saturating yourself in God’s truth, by reading His word every day.
God promised His Holy Spirit would be there for you, to lead you into all truth—right on past the deceptive delicacies of a world that lives for itself, and lies to itself.
Rule #3: Run With a Spiritual Mind
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
(Romans 8:5-6, 13)
This verse doesn’t mince words. To be carnally minded is “death.” The carnal mind is “enmity” (an enemy) against God.
This concept of being spiritually minded is similar to the concept of being in the world, but not of it. Of course, anyone who is physically alive is still in a fleshly body. There is a tug of war taking place in the hearts of all believers.
The carnal mind is that which sides with the desires of the flesh, and forfeits the desires of God’s purposes. But your renewed, Christian mind must not allow the desires of your fleshly nature to override your pure desires for the purposes of God.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
(Galatians 5:16-18)
Your race (or “walk”) must be under the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power, and not of your own.
Anyone can appear strong and capable in their own willpower, at the starting line. You may do fine in your own strength (and your own works) for a while. But if you depend on your own thinking and abilities, without acknowledging the Holy Spirit’s leadership—you will soon grow weary of the pace.
This is a race of endurance, and not of speed. The Apostle Paul, a man who was completely submitted to the One who called him into the contest, reveals his key attitude of endurance to us:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
(Galatians 2:20)
Paul is basically saying here, “The old Paul has died, and the new Paul is alive. I have bequeathed my own identity to my new Master, and His master plan. I am no longer my own. I have ceased to be in charge of my life. I have died with Christ, been raised with Christ, and now truly live for Christ.”
Are you serious about finishing well? Have you committed everything you have, and everything you are, to the One who has called you into the contest?
Dying to your own desires is never easy. It hurts, and it breaks you. But inevitably, it raises you to that new life.
The life that Christ died for you to have.
Rule #4: Run Like You’ve Overcome the World
“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.“
(John 16:22, 27, 33)
Becoming an overcomer—you may think that its not really possible, or wonder if its even necessary. After all, isn’t it enough that we’re already going to Heaven?
But read these words of Jesus, as He gently spoke to His sorrowing disciples. He gave them the assurance that they could endure, and finish the long journey before them—because He was preparing the way ahead.
Jesus overcame the world—by dying on a cruel cross, and resurrecting to life in power—that you may also overcome the world. And He gave you all the power you need to do it.
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”
(1 John 4:4-6)
Christ Jesus, living in you, is greater than anyone living in this world. So who are you going to listen to?
The unbelieving world has no real truth in them, but they still have plenty to say. With social media, it seems like everyone’s got a mouthful of something to tell you.
But you have a mighty weapon: the power to tell the truth from “error.”
Test what you hear. If it does not line up with the Word of God, run from it. If necessary, expose it. No matter how good it sounds, if it’s not from the Spirit of Christ, it comes from that spirit of the world.
It’s a lifelong learning experience to know the difference, and to respond with wisdom and love. It can be difficult. But whatever you do, stay aware. Don’t just passively absorb everything you hear.
You’ve got to remain steady and ready—heading for your finish line.
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
(Romans 12:21)
Even the world seems to sense that it’s all about “good versus evil.” But as Christians, we know that the good of God always holds the ability to overcome, and not to be overcome.
To overcome means to conquer. Its basic meaning is to “come over,” as in jumping over, pushing through, or triumphantly going over the top.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
(Romans 8:35, 37-39)
To be “more than a conquerer” here means to utterly vanquish your enemy, in a decisive or surpassing victory. This means that to overcome means more than just survival. Overcoming is to completely overpower, subdue and crush the enemy.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:37-39)
Death, life, angels, principalities and powers. Those words sound like your race could get unpleasant. Or even painful.
Yes, it will most likely be a fight to the finish line. And sometimes you may wonder what you are even running for, or hoping for. Is winning this race even worth it?
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Revelation 3:21-22
“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
(Revelation 21:6-7)
Wow—look at you. You’re in the back of the book!
You’re in those final chapters of victory. You, me, and a multitude of weary runners—determined to go the distance.
Because we see that finish line, by faith. Because we know that Christ Jesus has promised.
Because our Father God is expecting us home by suppertime.
He knows it’s been a long journey. He knows that your knees are weak. And your feet are aching. And your heart is breaking for so many others who have fallen out of step, or even left the race.
But keep running. Keep overcoming.
I know it’s not easy. But you’ve got a race to run.
There’s no time to become entangled in the foolishness of the world—overcome it with your faith. And don’t waste your energy fearing the evil of this world—overcome it with God’s good.
Get the word out to the people on that sinking ship, so they might also join the race, and find their way home.
Look now. Christ Jesus is out there in front of you. Focus on Him.
He’s got this. You’ve got this.
The mighty, Holy Spirit provides your second wind, that you’ve been desperately waiting for.
See a hurdle up ahead? You’re more than a conqueror now—and you’re jumping over.
Jesus makes your race possible. Nothing is going to separate you from Him now. And you will soon forever live to reign with Him.
He is your way, your truth and your life.
Follow close, and finish well.