“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, 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." -Hebrews 12:1-3
Recently I heard a quote from a well known Ironman triathlete (Ironman is an endurance race that encompasses a two-mile swim, one hundred- and twelve-mile bike; finally, a twenty-six-mile run). The quote was: “Endurance training is nothing more than a negotiation between the body and the mind.” It got the wheels turning in my mind, but from a spiritual standpoint. In this race to win heaven, what is for sale?
Endurance is nothing more than a negotiation. The two parties are the body and mind. The body is undertaking the stress, pain, and anguish of the endurance race. Force inflicted on the muscles and organs over time causing the body to communicate to the mind to quit, stop, or at least slow down. The mind, on the other side of the negotiation, knowing what must be accomplished is resolved to finish the race. Determined to withstand, to push back, and not to sell out to the body. The longer the endurance race, the longer the negotiation; and one must constantly answer the question. What is for sale? Is it your form? Your Pace? Your mileage? What are you willing to compromise for comfort? What are you willing to sell to buy relief? Relief from the pain, the hardship, and the constant stress on the body. How little a matter physical endurance means on the scale of eternity, but spiritual endurance; it is of infinite importance. The physical can teach us the spiritual. In this race of life, the negotiation is now between Satan, and yourself. Satan is seeking to “steal, kill, and destroy.” He wants to steal your joy, take your peace, kill your relationship with Christ; and destroy your soul. In this race to heaven, you must ask yourself: What is for sale? Is my Bible reading hour for sale? My prayer time for sale? Wednesday Night Bible study for sale? Sunday morning worship? Will I stop my lips from speaking the Word of God to buy good friendships? Or sacrifice my Sabbath to gain new business? Will I sell my God given convictions to buy profitable acquaintances? What is for sale in your own heart? What’s the price of your compromise? Compromise is a road to sin. A little here, and a little there; by and by the joy is gone, the love is gone and soon your salvation is gone. Only death remains. If there is a price to get you to compromise Satan will find it and he will offer it. He is always willing to negotiate.
Each day we must put up the “Not For Sale” sign. There is no bargaining, no conversation, no entry point. We are not for sale because we have already been bought. Bought by our precious Savior Jesus Christ. We are not for sale because we have already sold out. Sold out to sin and brought into righteousness. There is no negotiation because we have nothing. There is no profit because we have given all. If this race is one day or a hundred; the resolution is the same; not for sale.
