In his first letter to the Corinthian believers, Paul compared living the Christian life with running a physical race.

1 Corinthians 9:24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And 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. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Crown = reward

Incorruptible =that fades not away

Castaway = counterfeit, disapproved, disqualified for prize

In his letter to the Ephesian believers, Paul wrote these words.

Ephesians 3:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Salvation = Saved from the penalty of sin

                    Being saved from the pattern and habit of sin

                    One day saved from the very presence of sin

 Grace = God giving you and me what we do not deserve

 Faith = Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

How are you walking in the good works God ordained for you?

In his letter to the Philippian believers, Paul wrote these words.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

What do God’s gifts of grace and faith matter to you?

How are you running your race?

What do these words tell you about Jesus?

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ 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, 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed  and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will  accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!