6 Guidelines for Running the Christian Life Well, Part 2

Every Christian has moments of feeling tired of living the Christian life. Thankfully, Hebrews 12:1-3 gives us several ideas for how we can run the race of the Christian life well. Each guideline keeps us running while also equipping us to maintain our pace. We looked at the first three ways in an earlier blog, so we will now identify the final three guidelines. 

4. Run With Perseverance

"And let us run with perseverance..."

I’m a sprinter. When I was younger, I was fast; but I was a terrible long distance runner. The Christian life is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. We’re called to run in a disciplined and steady way that allows us to persevere to the end. The goal is not to get there as quickly as possible or by any means necessary. The goal is to stay the course and to savor the journey as you travel. 

5. Live Out God’s Call

"...the race marked out for us," 

In a sense, all of us as Christians are called to run the same race – to know and follow Jesus every day. Yet, I suspect the author of Hebrews may have been reminding us that God has a special calling for each one of us. Ephesians 2:10 suggests that God has specific plans for each of us. These specific plans mark out the unique race that He has for us.

6. Fix Our Eyes on Jesus

"...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Jesus is the pioneer or author of our faith. Those who receive him become children of God (John 1:12).

He is also the perfecter of our faith. In Philippians 1:6, we see Paul’s confidence in Jesus’ perfecting work. "... He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

As we remember Jesus and the race He ran for us, we are encouraged in our own race for Him. Jesus’ example of suffering spurs us on to run well even when running is hard.

May we be like the Apostle Paul who could say in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

When I was an undergraduate student at Trinity Western University, a missionary by the name of Helen Roseveare spoke at one of our chapels. Roseveare had served for many years as a medical doctor in the Congo. For 11 years, she had been writing a book about God’s work in that country.

One day, rebels entered the missionary compound where Roseveare lived. They treated her very badly and tied her to a pole outside her home. They brought out her hand-written manuscript and burnt it in front of her eyes.

As Roseveare watched the destruction, she asked the question, “Is it worth it?” After thinking about it for a while, she concluded, “No, it’s not worth it. Nothing is worth the pain and loss I have been forced to endure.”

Roseveare felt guilty about coming up with this answer. However, she soon realized that she was asking the wrong question. The question was not, “Is it worth it,” but, “Is He worthy?”

To that question, Roseveare could wholeheartedly respond, “Yes, Jesus is worthy. He is worthy of anything that I might endure for Him.”

As we run the race of the Christian life, we will encounter many challenges and opportunities. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. For He is worthy!

- Randy Wollf