“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24
The Ironman race is considered one of the most grueling endurance races known to man. It consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile marathon run. Typically, contestants begin at 7:00 AM only to finish later that night around 11:30 PM. Considering the distance these men and women are biking, swimming, and running; when it is all said and done, they could literally cross the state of Indiana. In an Ironman race, many will run in it, some will complete it, and only one will win it.
The Bible spends a great deal of time teaching and exhorting us with regards to Gods plan for salvation, and the church does the same (as it should). In addition, the scriptures also give us plenty of insight into what and how we are live after we are sanctified. The life after the life. The longer I remain on this earth the more God teaches that he sent his Son so that we might live. When I was growing up, we had a golden retriever puppy. This dog loved the mud, one mud hole. We would wash her, dry her up good, and brush her coat. She would then go and lay in yard, bask in the sun, and look to enjoy her newly achieved sanitary state……. until we weren’t looking. No sooner than we turned our head that dog would bolt to the mud hole, and we had to start the whole process over. She didn’t mind getting cleaned up, but her hearts cry was after the mud hole. God wants to do more than get the sin out of your fur, he wants to get it out of you! He wants to cleanse you and change you. Why? So you can LIVE this life created after him; in righteousness and true holiness. Holiness is a heart changing event therefore it is a lifestyle changing event.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit marks the first day of a new day. Like a wedding it is the pronouncement of the covenant, but you still have your whole life together and you still have a marriage to live out. Just because we get sanctified doesn’t mean we will never have another bad day, or bad week, or month, or year. It doesn’t mean that we can just sit back in our spiritual easy chair. It’s a temptation to do so, no doubt, I believe more people will be cast into hell on account of complacency than ever will be on account of substance abuse. I believe the Apostle Paul knew this as well when wrote “know ye not that they which run in a race run all….so run that ye may obtain.” The folks who run in this Ironman race run to finish it. The goal of completing this race changes what they eat, when they sleep, how they look…it changes everything about their lifestyle. The race takes precedent over everything because of the desire to finish and finish first! This they do for a corruptible crown. For selfish reasons, and personal glory; how much more we to press to enter the kingdom! Let us so run to obtain the prize! This sanctified life takes diligence, patience, perseverance, and discipline. You may have to press through on some things, and you may have to lay aside other things. In the end, it will all be worth it.
The devil is not afraid of us. He does not scare when you flaunt your intelligence. He is not concerned over your will power or support group; but he does shutter at the name of Christ. The power of God is far greater than the strength of the devil. Our ability to finish the race is wholly connected to our dependability on God. No matter how far, how difficult, or unexpected this spiritual race is; let us run with God and to God. Let us remember, that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not the end, but the beginning.
