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Friday, November 17, 2017

Running the race...Receiving the Crown

The last couple of weeks we have focused on building and being the city on a hill.  It has been interesting for me and it has been exciting for me.  I know God is doing something new and I want to make sure I don't miss it.  But as I was praying yesterday, I asked the Lord what comes next.  He told me it was time to get back to His promises.  We had to walk through a small detour for what was coming, but now it is time to remember His promises again.  We started the year focusing on the promises of God and, as long as He is willing, we will finish the year focusing on the promises of God.  

Hebrews 10:36-38  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:  (37)  "FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY.  (38)  NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM."

Paul said we are running a race and if any of you are runners, then you know it takes endurance for distance running.  It takes conditioning and training to be able to participate in marathons, triathlons, or any form of race.  There are many types of races in track and field.  Some of them include hurdle jumping.  Runners have to jump over obstacles in their lanes without slowing down to stay in the hunt for winning the race.  Our walk in the Lord is very similar to running a race.  There is always a prize at the end of a race for the winner, second and third places.  If you watch the olympics when they come around then you know those three positions receive medals.  All of the competitors run like they want to win.  Sometimes tenths of a second separate first and second place. 

1 Corinthians 9:24  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Paul said we are to run our race in such a way that we are trying to obtain the prize at the end.  What is the prize?

1 Corinthians 9:25  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

For those in a race, it is a medal of perishing metals that will erode over time. For us, in our walks with the Lord, it is an imperishable crown.  A crown upon our heads that will not tarnish, erode, or fade over time.  How do we run to obtain it, as Paul said?

An athlete trains to run in a race by running.  If they are a distance runner, then they are running further each day than they did the day before to build the endurance they will need for the race.  But, how do we train and run our race since our race is of faith?

1 Peter 1:13-19
  • gird up the loins of our minds
  • be sober
  • rest hope fully on grace
  • be obedient children
  • do not conform to [former] lusts
  • be holy in conduct
2 Peter 1:5-7 
  • put on the characteristics of a citizen of the Kingdom of God
  • faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

Colossians 3:23-24  And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,  (24)  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

We are to do everything we do as unto the Lord.  If Jesus Christ was physically standing beside us would we still speak to and treat others the way we do?  We are to behave in this manner:

Romans 12:9-17  Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.  (10)  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;  (11)  not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  (12)  rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;  (13)  distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.  (14)  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  (15)  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  (16)  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.  (17)  Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

I think the most difficult aspect of the scriptures in Romans 12 is to put others before ourselves.  This is not to say that we are to become doormats and always put the needs of others before ourselves.  But if we are to walk in Jesus' example, then we give and serve and love others...then we go to our quiet place to recharge and renew our minds and our spirits as we spend quiet time in prayer and in the Word of God, just as Jesus did after a day of ministry.  

Hebrews 12:1-2  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  (2)  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

As we are running this race and walking out our faith, Paul cautions us above not to be discouraged or grow weary.  He says after all, we should remember and look to Jesus who endured the hostility of those that sent Him to the cross.  

Hebrews 12:3  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

He was mocked, ridiculed, beaten, scourged, and then nailed to a cross.  We have not had to endure or experience such treatment in our lives.  We have no reason to grow weary and tired during our walk.  We only need to remember the sacrifice made.  What helps us to remember and consider Jesus?

Hebrews 13:15-17  Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.  (16)  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.  (17)  Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Offer Him praise every day, which should be the fruit of our lips.  Remember, we eat the fruit of our lips.  

Proverbs 13:2  A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.

Proverbs 18:20-21  A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.  (21)  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

We are to remember to share (Luke 3:11).  We shouldn't forget to do good. I wonder how often we actually forget to do good. By that, I mean how often do we overlook those in need or show brotherly kindness because "that really isn't our business?"    

2 Corinthians 9:12-14  For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,  (13)  while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,  (14)  and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

At the end of the race, we want to receive our crown because we endured with perseverance.  We didn't quit when it got tough.  We remembered the sacrifice Jesus made. 

James 1:12  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

The italics above are mine for emphasis on what I believe is overlooked quite often.  We endure, so we can be approved and receive our crown of life.  God's promise is an imperishable crown; a crown of life for those who love Him.  We show His love through the many things we see and read throughout the scriptures, not only of those scriptures above, but all throughout the teachings of Jesus Christ.  

While our race is not a physical race, there are still no participation trophies.  We still need to endure and not fall into the temptation of quitting and returning to old ways.  So, today, let's run our race through faith with the grace and mercy of God each and every day as we are seeking to do good, to share, to continually praise God for His goodness, and as we remember the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us....especially as we enter this season of Thanksgiving. 

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