RULES FOR THE RACE
"And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." - 2Tim 2:5
You may be the first, it may look as if you are running through the tracks at the speed of light, many may be in the stands cheering and admiring you to be the fastest, you are adored by both young and old, they think you are the world's greatest. That is how the world responds naturally, and all these boost our egos and we want to break more records, we want to be talked about everywhere.
It is important for the Christian to know and reflect deeply that in the Christian race, the race is not really unto the swift; if it takes you fifty years to understand the rules, God is not moved - He judges by how much you have observed the rules. He is not moved by those who cheer, He is not moved by how many people you inspire; you just won't be crowed if you break the rules.
While it may take sometimes for WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) to catch an athlete when he doesn't observe the rules; our Lord will not even crown at all; He saw the way you stepped off the tracks, He knew what your preparations were - He saw you when you have compromised and just because you want an applause, you have manipulated the people. He won't just crown; He doesn't make a mistake with applauding people.
One may be slow in progressing, but if that person utilises grace and stick to the rules, He will reach the mark as the Lord aids all His people.
In this our race, keeping to the rules are more important that the speed; when one keeps to the rules, there is grace to move at God's pace. There are certain exhortations from the scriptures that point the believers to the race that is set before them. If you ignore the rules, even though you appear in front, you are not crowned.
Your ignorance of the rules, will not be an excuse when you are disqualified as God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. I know many who think that to follow the scripture totally is not practicable; but do you think that God will demand the impossible from us?
TAKE THE WEIGHT OFF
"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" - Heb 12:1
You can't be serious about a race and you're still carrying weights, even without being told that the game doesn't permit such; those who have gone ahead should be an example for you. You cannot be on the track of eternity, yet carry the load of the world; there is no place for weights or sin on the tracks; you won't be able to run, you won't be able to pull through - you can't even be counted as an athlete if you come to the tracks with weights and sins.
The things that you think are indispensable to you now may be the real impediment to your race. You may be one person who carries his reputation higher than anything else, you may be one who prides yourself in being a perfectionist, you may be one who is just concerned only about his or her self and you think those are the things that stands you out and sets you apart. It is important to bring to your notice that such could be the hindrance of the race.
If an athlete has the world's most expensive suit in his wardrobe; he cannot bring it to the tracks because it is not needed; all his wealth and previous achievement means nothing, He has to be on the track without any weight, if not; he cannot compete. Though you are reputed to be the 'badest' while in the world, such reputation wouldn't help you here. You cant be in this race and still be involved in sin - drop that weight!
"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." - 1Pet 5:7
I know you have issues and it seems like it wouldn't just go away; some of these issues appear more real than your faith; you want to address such issues that burden you and you think if you can address them, then you can run... He didn't ask us to deal with such burdens; He said cast it unto Him. Casting such burdens upon Jesus isn't a denial that they exist, it's not deception; but it is trusting that He is able to lighten the burden.
As a matter of fact, if the burdens are not cast on Him, you just cannot drop it on the devil; he wouldn't take it from you; just cast all the burdens on Jesus. Understand that your race is more important than the marital problems (it may sound harsh and cold); but how can you get ahead when you have refused to surrender the burdens to the burden bearer. If you waste your time, caring for your cares; you risk missing out of the race; and you also may not lighten your burdens that way.
It is an individual walk; have you ever seen an athlete run with the child strapped to her back? It just won't work, they can encourage you before the race, they can help you in prayers and of course they should; but if they enter the track with you - they become a burden or a distraction. You are running this race alone for yourself; your family or loved ones may be on the track, but not in the same lane.
AVOID FALSE-STARTS
"I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." - Jer 23:21
This particular point addresses the leaders in the ministry, many want to be the shepherd, they want to 'run' with the vision; but all their vision is just about themselves and their pride; they just had a false start in their race as leaders, the race can not go on at all; in fact you won't go far before the umpire calls everyone back to the track; He will issue a warning - until you hear the shot; don't dare move!
Many people in this race also do not follow instructions before setting out, they assume more than they hear, they insinuate with human experience more than they can spiritually discern, sometimes; they have gone too far in errors, then they realise that they have been on the wrong race. That can be disastrous, many hear too many messages but don't hear God; they are psyched by motivation more than being led by the spirit - what is wrong with you o athlete?
The reason we must hear Him say go is mostly because when He hasn't sent us; He is equipping us. I'm sure you remember Elijah's meal in 1 Kings 19; this man Elijah felt He had eaten enough; but the angel compelled him to eat more because the journey is too great for him. You don't want to get weary on the way, you don't want to get lost - why not wait and eat before you move.
" And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, 'But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.' So Joab said, 'Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?' 'But whatever happens,' he said, 'Let me run.' So he said to him, 'Run.' Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite." - 2Sam 18:22-23
I'd encourage that you take out time to read the account of the above scripture well later in 2Sam 18: 19-32. Absalom, the prince had been killed by the commander of the army Joab, he sent someone to deliver the news to David the king, yet Ahimaaz wanted to be the one to carry the news. Someone else already had the news and was already running with a message; this Ahimaaz guy didn't want to wait for his own; he wanted to choose the message he will deliver. In fact, he got permission and ran even ahead of the original messenger.
Sometimes, some of us are like that young fellow Ahimaaz; we won't wait for our own go-ahead, it is another man's message we want to preach; and the irony of it all is that we may be 'faster' but we have taken another's message. Taking another's good message may just turn us to become bad people. We may not understand the context, the experience - but because everyone is preaching sexual purity; you have decided to pitch your own tent. When Ahimaaz got to David, he was turned aside to wait for the original bearer of the news.
There is clarity if you wait for instructions; even when things do not seem as they should, because you heard, you will not be shaken. If you don't receive an instruction for the race; you may follow the wrong lane; God will not give you instructions if He hasn't sent you. Please wait, please hear, please don't move until you hear.
YOU NEED ENDURANCE
"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. 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." - 1Cor 9:24-25
There is need for endurance in this race, while others may take the shorter route and seem faster, you have need for endurance to finish. God doesn't crown those who don't reach the finish line, instead, He enables us with grace to continue - no matter how rough the road may seem, no matter how hard the way; there is grace to finish well; and the Lord delights in helping His children even unto the end.
The motivation for enduring in this race is for the prize that is laid ahead; when a man does not see the prize before him, he runs with uncertainty. The prize for this race is the imperishable crown, it far outweighs the Olympic medal. If you can't see the crown that is laid ahead, then you may just retire now. Endurance is a fruit of the spirit, it should tell you that you can't run this race with carnality.
A man that is focused on the race shouldn't be distracted by those on the stand; the funny thing about this race is that, when you run well, they may not cheer you, they may scorn your attitude of sticking to the rules, they may ignore and focus on other athletes who have gone ahead, you must be disciplined enough to stay focused. They don't see the crown - you are the one who sees it, and you should keep on.
"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 now sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Heb 12:2
The glory we seek, is not of this world; the podium is not even set here on earth; it takes endurance to see that the main crown is given in heaven. It will take some level of discipline to keep focus on that. If the Lord says there is need for endurance, please endure as it is those who endure to the end that are saved.
CONCLUSION:
Shed some weight, get instructions and endure through the race.
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
You may be the first, it may look as if you are running through the tracks at the speed of light, many may be in the stands cheering and admiring you to be the fastest, you are adored by both young and old, they think you are the world's greatest. That is how the world responds naturally, and all these boost our egos and we want to break more records, we want to be talked about everywhere.
It is important for the Christian to know and reflect deeply that in the Christian race, the race is not really unto the swift; if it takes you fifty years to understand the rules, God is not moved - He judges by how much you have observed the rules. He is not moved by those who cheer, He is not moved by how many people you inspire; you just won't be crowed if you break the rules.
While it may take sometimes for WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) to catch an athlete when he doesn't observe the rules; our Lord will not even crown at all; He saw the way you stepped off the tracks, He knew what your preparations were - He saw you when you have compromised and just because you want an applause, you have manipulated the people. He won't just crown; He doesn't make a mistake with applauding people.
One may be slow in progressing, but if that person utilises grace and stick to the rules, He will reach the mark as the Lord aids all His people.
In this our race, keeping to the rules are more important that the speed; when one keeps to the rules, there is grace to move at God's pace. There are certain exhortations from the scriptures that point the believers to the race that is set before them. If you ignore the rules, even though you appear in front, you are not crowned.
Your ignorance of the rules, will not be an excuse when you are disqualified as God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. I know many who think that to follow the scripture totally is not practicable; but do you think that God will demand the impossible from us?
TAKE THE WEIGHT OFF
"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" - Heb 12:1
You can't be serious about a race and you're still carrying weights, even without being told that the game doesn't permit such; those who have gone ahead should be an example for you. You cannot be on the track of eternity, yet carry the load of the world; there is no place for weights or sin on the tracks; you won't be able to run, you won't be able to pull through - you can't even be counted as an athlete if you come to the tracks with weights and sins.
The things that you think are indispensable to you now may be the real impediment to your race. You may be one person who carries his reputation higher than anything else, you may be one who prides yourself in being a perfectionist, you may be one who is just concerned only about his or her self and you think those are the things that stands you out and sets you apart. It is important to bring to your notice that such could be the hindrance of the race.
If an athlete has the world's most expensive suit in his wardrobe; he cannot bring it to the tracks because it is not needed; all his wealth and previous achievement means nothing, He has to be on the track without any weight, if not; he cannot compete. Though you are reputed to be the 'badest' while in the world, such reputation wouldn't help you here. You cant be in this race and still be involved in sin - drop that weight!
"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." - 1Pet 5:7
I know you have issues and it seems like it wouldn't just go away; some of these issues appear more real than your faith; you want to address such issues that burden you and you think if you can address them, then you can run... He didn't ask us to deal with such burdens; He said cast it unto Him. Casting such burdens upon Jesus isn't a denial that they exist, it's not deception; but it is trusting that He is able to lighten the burden.
As a matter of fact, if the burdens are not cast on Him, you just cannot drop it on the devil; he wouldn't take it from you; just cast all the burdens on Jesus. Understand that your race is more important than the marital problems (it may sound harsh and cold); but how can you get ahead when you have refused to surrender the burdens to the burden bearer. If you waste your time, caring for your cares; you risk missing out of the race; and you also may not lighten your burdens that way.
It is an individual walk; have you ever seen an athlete run with the child strapped to her back? It just won't work, they can encourage you before the race, they can help you in prayers and of course they should; but if they enter the track with you - they become a burden or a distraction. You are running this race alone for yourself; your family or loved ones may be on the track, but not in the same lane.
AVOID FALSE-STARTS
"I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." - Jer 23:21
This particular point addresses the leaders in the ministry, many want to be the shepherd, they want to 'run' with the vision; but all their vision is just about themselves and their pride; they just had a false start in their race as leaders, the race can not go on at all; in fact you won't go far before the umpire calls everyone back to the track; He will issue a warning - until you hear the shot; don't dare move!
Many people in this race also do not follow instructions before setting out, they assume more than they hear, they insinuate with human experience more than they can spiritually discern, sometimes; they have gone too far in errors, then they realise that they have been on the wrong race. That can be disastrous, many hear too many messages but don't hear God; they are psyched by motivation more than being led by the spirit - what is wrong with you o athlete?
The reason we must hear Him say go is mostly because when He hasn't sent us; He is equipping us. I'm sure you remember Elijah's meal in 1 Kings 19; this man Elijah felt He had eaten enough; but the angel compelled him to eat more because the journey is too great for him. You don't want to get weary on the way, you don't want to get lost - why not wait and eat before you move.
" And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, 'But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.' So Joab said, 'Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?' 'But whatever happens,' he said, 'Let me run.' So he said to him, 'Run.' Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite." - 2Sam 18:22-23
I'd encourage that you take out time to read the account of the above scripture well later in 2Sam 18: 19-32. Absalom, the prince had been killed by the commander of the army Joab, he sent someone to deliver the news to David the king, yet Ahimaaz wanted to be the one to carry the news. Someone else already had the news and was already running with a message; this Ahimaaz guy didn't want to wait for his own; he wanted to choose the message he will deliver. In fact, he got permission and ran even ahead of the original messenger.
Sometimes, some of us are like that young fellow Ahimaaz; we won't wait for our own go-ahead, it is another man's message we want to preach; and the irony of it all is that we may be 'faster' but we have taken another's message. Taking another's good message may just turn us to become bad people. We may not understand the context, the experience - but because everyone is preaching sexual purity; you have decided to pitch your own tent. When Ahimaaz got to David, he was turned aside to wait for the original bearer of the news.
There is clarity if you wait for instructions; even when things do not seem as they should, because you heard, you will not be shaken. If you don't receive an instruction for the race; you may follow the wrong lane; God will not give you instructions if He hasn't sent you. Please wait, please hear, please don't move until you hear.
YOU NEED ENDURANCE
"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. 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." - 1Cor 9:24-25
There is need for endurance in this race, while others may take the shorter route and seem faster, you have need for endurance to finish. God doesn't crown those who don't reach the finish line, instead, He enables us with grace to continue - no matter how rough the road may seem, no matter how hard the way; there is grace to finish well; and the Lord delights in helping His children even unto the end.
The motivation for enduring in this race is for the prize that is laid ahead; when a man does not see the prize before him, he runs with uncertainty. The prize for this race is the imperishable crown, it far outweighs the Olympic medal. If you can't see the crown that is laid ahead, then you may just retire now. Endurance is a fruit of the spirit, it should tell you that you can't run this race with carnality.
A man that is focused on the race shouldn't be distracted by those on the stand; the funny thing about this race is that, when you run well, they may not cheer you, they may scorn your attitude of sticking to the rules, they may ignore and focus on other athletes who have gone ahead, you must be disciplined enough to stay focused. They don't see the crown - you are the one who sees it, and you should keep on.
"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 now sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Heb 12:2
The glory we seek, is not of this world; the podium is not even set here on earth; it takes endurance to see that the main crown is given in heaven. It will take some level of discipline to keep focus on that. If the Lord says there is need for endurance, please endure as it is those who endure to the end that are saved.
CONCLUSION:
Shed some weight, get instructions and endure through the race.
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
Comments
Post a Comment