Finishing the Race!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”

Hebrews 12:1 LB

Perseverance is a hallmark of Christianity. In fact, successfully finishing this faith is heavily dependent on our tenacious “stick-to-itiveness.” When we gave our lives to Jesus as Lord and Savior, we started a race! When we trusted him for true joy and real peace, we started a race! When we began sharing the Gospel, we started a race!

Satan’s plan is to put many hurdles on our track to keep us from finishing this race! He uses all of his power and devices to knock us off the course of God’s calling on our lives! Yet, we know that God receives no praise when we start for him but don’t finish! Luke 9:62 says, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
Therefore, we must press our way to finish this race. For God doesn’t reward those who only start the race! God doesn’t give heaven’s gold medals to those who’ve just entered this faith! The Gold Medals of Glory are only placed around the neck of those who run with Jesus until they cross the finish line! For “this race is not given to the swift, nor is the victory given to the strong; but it’s given to the one that endures all the way to the end!” We must be committed to finish this race.

Let us pray:
Dear Lord, grant us the faith and the perseverance to finish this race that you started in on. Enable us to endure all of life’s trials and Satan’s temptations, emerging victorious. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield,
Pastor St. John AMEC, Nashville, TN