How are you running the race of your life?

The Apostle Paul encouraged believers in Corinth to run to win. He wrote,

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.

1 Corinthians 9:24

ESV

The people of Corinth were familiar with the races held there. They knew that the runners had to discipline themselves and commit to serious training in order to win the race. Runners in the ancient world followed a particular diet and trained on a daily basis. Their focus on winning the race and possessed great zeal to run.

Regarding the zeal of Christ followers to run the race of faith, Samuel Ward preached,

The true zealot is fervent in the Spirit, not in show; in reality, not in form; for God and not himself.

Samuel Ward

We are zealous about the things and people that are most important to us. A good runner has a zeal for running and trains so that they can be the first to cross the finish line. Out of zeal, they discipline their bodies to run well. They don’t put on a show, but let their actions speak as they run. 

Is that you? How are you running the race? Are you really running to pursue Christ, or are you putting on the show of being a runner?

Are you zealous for Christ? Do you discipline yourself to run His race well? Do you seek His glory rather than your own?

True runners in faith run hard after Christ with their eyes fixed on Him (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Blessings!

(Click here to read more from Tim McKnight.)