One of Paul’s favorite metaphors for the Christian life was that of a sporting event, especially a foot-race or marathon. Here are a few such passages Paul wrote:
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24).
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. . . .So I do not run aimlessly; ” (1 Corinthians 9:24, 26 ESV).
“I went up [to the apostles in Jerusalem] in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.” (Galatians 2:2).
“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7).
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7).
” Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14).
So how’s your running (spiritual speaking) currently? Are you running well? hard? flat out? for the glory of God? Is y0ur focus in the right place? Are you determined as Paul to gain more and more Christlikeness?
