Race of Faith

Embracing God’s Discipline.

Faith. Endurance. Discipline.

We like to say “Our walk with Christ”. It’s not wrong. It’s nice. Feels good. Very considerate of people’s lack of progress. I however, prefer to actually honor the text. The translations actually refer to “to live in”. Not walk. There is a difference. “Walk” will give this sense of casualness. Carelessness. Sluggishness. This is NOT the tone of Scripture. All throughout the Scriptures, there is a sense of urgency. TODAY is the day. Not tomorrow. A lack of progress, is never something Scripture considers for you or even appeals to. But instead, is warned and scolded.

-"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15). 

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near" (Isaiah 55:6). 

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42)

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray" (1 Peter 4:7)

Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4)

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Why? Because the Scripture pre-supposes that when you truly have salvation, you actually love Christ and following His commands is actually not the major issue. Scripture highlights two major problems. A lack of love. And a lack of knowledge. Those two things combined, solve the issue of obedience. I can teach knowledge. I can’t teach love. So let’s start with knowledge.

Race is “agon” in Greek. It’s where we get “agony” from. That changes the perspective doesn’t it?

Our test of faith is compared to that of an athlete’s training. Now imagine trying to run a race without any training? How far do you think you’ll get? 1 Corinthians 9:24–27

LOVE:

So who is Jesus to you? Imagine a man in a ditch. Exhausted, tired, burdened.

VERSES I MAY USE

Colossians 1:24–2:15 (CSB)

PAUL’S MINISTRY

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body, that is, the church. 25 I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me. 

2 For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ., 3 In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

CHRIST VERSUS THE COLOSSIAN HERESY

4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. 5 For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ. 

6 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude. 

8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. 9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.,