RUN for your life!

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run,that ye may obtain." 1Cor 9:24

Are you running?........... Let me ask you the question again, are YOU RUNNING? If not, why not? With the Apostle Paul , I raise the question, "who did hinder you, that you should not obey the truth?" Gal 5;17.

You know you are not running when you are not obeying the truth. This is serious! This is eternally serious. Oh how many I know who have started this race who have left off running, who have no interest in laying hold upon the prize. They have wearied and fell behind the pack. They said they were just catching their breath, they would pick it up shortly; but just then, by design of the course, we came upon a steep incline, and they drew even further back than before, and were seldom seen. I heard them from a distance, but rarely again saw their face; They assured me that they were still in the race. Then at once I heard from them no more!

What happened? The cares of this life choked the word, by which strength from the promises were given to persevere, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31.

They abandoned temperance; which keeps the runner light for the race and in shape for the difficulties. They allowed themselves to be encumbered, bogged down, overladen with this world's goods. "And 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." 1Cor 9:25. The runner must be well nigh NAKED to do his best; to make good of his time; to advance as he must.

"Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also" Why? Two reasons.


(1) You have way too much to lose. If you lose or quit, because the way is long, you will perish! You will lose your mortal soul to hell’s damnation. There is no second heaven, no subordinate place of bliss, no intermediary between heaven and hell. Just hell! Hell is where the guests are. Hell is where the onlookers are, those who took comfort on the sidelines waiting for your demise and fall. They are the guests from hell... Many of them quit long ago, they kept a seat in the pew, most watch from there; you didn't know? Yeah! That pew seat can be the most damnable place in all the earth, if all you do from there is watch. See Matthew 7:21.

(2) Listen well! There is but ONE prize! but one receiveth the prize? There is no shared victory! You cannot share this with your wife. She cannot share it with you, neither your children, nor your church, or denomination. Remember Lot’s wife?  Gen 19;15-26. Please re-read it.

"Pastor I thought that it was all of grace?" "It is!" It is a Grace race for sure. Those running profess to be running by grace.

Make sure you are in the right race. And if you are, and should you win, it was by Grace. It's worth all your effort; for should you win; you win everything! Everything!