The Endurance Run

The Christian life has been likened to running a marathon. In reading articles and blogs from individuals who have run multiple marathons, including many who competed in the Boston Marathon, there are several things that were shared that really helps to make the comparison.

One of the comments that came out was that to finish the marathon, one had to let their training of running 17-20 miles be an encouragement to them. But one of the most important factors was to let the adrenaline and the crowds carry you the rest of the way on race day. Interesting how there was such emphasis on the benefit of the crowds enabling you to endure the long race.

At the beginning, everything seemed to go smoothly as they tried to separate themselves from the pack. No marathon runner worth their salt, likes being in the pack, as it is actually more tiring and can discourage you from your goal of completing the race with at least a showing. How similar to our walk as Christians, in that we don’t want to stay in herd mentality, just going along with everyone else, but we need to separate ourselves out from those who aren’t really wanting to win the prize. Those individuals suck away our endurance, causing us to not focus on the prize.

But guess what? About halfway through each of the marathons, runners would often experience muscle cramps or spasms that were almost debilitating. They would have to pull off briefly and work out the muscle cramps and spasms, but those genuinely pursuing the prize, kept on going as soon as possible. They were willing to endure. This is very much like the follower of Christ; we will often run into situations that would tempt us to quit altogether, but we have to make whatever adjustments are necessary and keep on running for the prize.

An individual who recently ran the Boston Marathon, and is planning on running the marathon in New York stated: There is no way to explain the feeling of making the last turn onto Boylston Street. For years I had watched people make this last victory run and finally it was me getting my turn with thousands of spectators cheering from the sidelines.

As believers, we can be encouraged that God enables us to endure and run the race He has set before us.

Listen to the Encouragers. - 12.1

As I pointed out earlier, there is great encouragement from others who are cheering us on, so that we don’t give up and we keep on running the race God has designed for us. Here we see that the testimony of all those Old Testament saints is a great motivation to run with endurance the race of faith.

Hebrews 12:1 (NASB95)

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

We’ve heard this part of verse 1 for such a long time, and it still leaves us scratching our heads a bit. But let’s look at it within its context. Therefore refers to the previous section about all those Old Testament saints. This phrase would have been amazing motivation and encouragement for those discouraged Jews who may have been reading this. It’s almost like you’re listening to the captain, played by Tim Allen, on the Sci-Fi spoof, Galaxy Quest, when he constantly says, Never give up, never surrender. For the believer, we keep running the race of faith, placing our full confidence and trust in the Lord and His many promises, regardless of what comes against us. I’m not of the opinion that they’re actually looking down from heaven, as there is no suggestion in the Bible that this is taking place during the age of grace, in which we live. Rather, it seems to be that they are witnesses as examples by how they lived. That is how they were presented in the previous verses. Much of the ideas of people watching from heaven what we’re doing on earth is based not on the Bible, but on wishful thinking.

. . . Let us also lay aside every encumbrance . . . One of the greatest struggles in a marathon is extra weight. We don’t need anything additional in our lives weighing us down. What might that be? An encumbrance is listed as a mass of something. It doesn’t have to be sin, especially since we see that listed separately. It can even be something which might be considered good, yet it distracts us from what we are supposed to be doing, running the race of faith. For many of the readers, the issue might have been legalism to the Law. In our day it could be other Christians who are not running the race, but are sitting on the track, as it were, creating roadblocks in our race.

What could the sin which so easily entangles us refer to? Well, it might refer to all sin, which obviously keeps us from running the race properly. However, there is a definite article, the which appears here. Most commentators tend to agree that this is most likely referring to unbelief, especially in the context of the whole book of Hebrews. And that would make sense, because there is no way I can life a life of faith, running the race of faith, if I am doubting God’s promises in His Word. I believe the word picture of this type of doubt and unbelief tangling up a person’s legs and feet to be very accurate, as most of us could probably agree with as we think back to those times in our own lives.

let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . What a powerful statement! It seems that this is being aimed specifically to followers of Christ, who may be experiencing discouragement in their desire to live for Jesus. But what does the word for race include? It’s not talking about a leisurely jog, or even speed walking. It’s not talking about multiple races.

The word for race in the Greek is agon, which is where we get the word for agony. In other words, the author is recognizing that this race will be extremely difficult and will require that the believer tap into the resources God provides to experience the necessary endurance. You see, standing still or even going backwards is not running the race. Being a spectator is not an option for the true believer in Jesus Christ. Those who choose to do these things, are most likely not even born again, so they will not receive the prize.

So what is endurance? Very simply, it is the constant desire and determination to keep going regardless of what else is happening. Some of you know and maybe even have seen early in my time here that my running style is that of a sprinter. In high school, I actually tried running what used to be called the 880, which was a half-mile, going around the track twice. By the time, I actually finished, I could hardly breathe, there was no moisture in my mouth, and my legs and arms felt like Gumby limbs with no strength whatsoever. Folks, too many Christians forget that the race we run for the Lord is not a sprint. It has been stated that the church has too many short-spurt Christians. They are great in the beginning, but they have forgotten they are to be in it for the long race. They are not able to endure. God’s desire is that we endure.

Part of that means, we stay focused on Jesus and commit ourselves to endure in running the race God has set before us. Now realize, we’re not trying to outdo other Christians, beating them, as it were, in this race. Remember this is still about our faith in God. We don’t go around trying to prove that our faith is greater than another Christian’s faith. Neither do we show off our good works trying to prove that we’re better than other believers.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus. - 12.2

When a batter hits the ball in baseball or softball, a good runner will not look to see what is happening with the ball. Instead, his focus is to run as fast and hard as they can, keeping their eyes on first base, so there is nothing to distract.

Hebrews 12:2 (NASB95)

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Being occupied or concerned about that which doesn’t relate to running the race of faith can be just like the athlete who is looking at the other runners, or watching his feet, or even getting distracted by a butterfly. It can trip us up, slow us down, or even cause us to stop.

So where do we look? What should be occupying us? Fixing our eyes on Jesus, is foundational to our answer. Our focus cannot be on what others might be saying about us; it cannot be on what other believers are doing in comparison to us. We cannot even make the Holy Spirit our focus. For the individual who is saved, our request needs to be that we are filled, or controlled, with the Holy Spirit, which is a biblical command. God will then help us to keep our focus on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why is this so important? He is the author of our salvation, and is now seen as the author of our faith. Faith comes from Jesus. It’s fine to look at godly examples around us and from the past. However, Jesus is the ultimate example for us to pursue. People fail so often; Jesus never fails.

Jesus also is the perfecter of faith, which should not be understood in the sense of imperfect vs. perfect. Rather, the meaning is that Jesus will carry it through to completion. To be perfect is to be complete. How glorious that is to know that my salvation is not in danger of being shut down if I trip and fall. Jesus is the One who will make sure that it is completed and that I will be in heaven one day to live with Him forever.

This race is not to be thought of on the same level as the games in Greece and surrounding areas. Remember the word agony which describes this race. This race is not for our pleasure; it is a race with a true end goal. In fact, we get a picture of the race which Jesus ran and His motivation. It is actually two-fold: the joy set before Him, as well as looking forward to sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God.

So why do we run the race of faith? Obviously it’s not to gain access to heaven. What, how can that be? So many have the mistaken notion that our salvation has to do about how much we do or how far we can run, spiritually speaking. Think about the reality that if you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, heaven has already been promised to us. There is nothing else we need to do to enter into heaven. I believe that as we look at all of Scripture, when we run in the way the author suggests, we glorify the Lord and experience joy in service to our Savior. We do know that when we are in His presence, we will receive rewards, yet won’t keep them. The Bible reminds us that we’ll cast them before the throne of Christ.

Think About Our Savior’s Example. - 12.3

It can be easy to get discouraged when it seems like you’ve failed or you’re being attacked by others. However, it is always helpful to think about the fact that Jesus went through so much more, not deserving any of the negative. Yet, His goal was to reach the cross so that He could do what was necessary to purchase our salvation. When we consider that, it causes us to keep going, enduring whatever may come our way.

Hebrews 12:3 (NASB95)

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Some of the most godly people can sometimes become tired of running the race because of all that seems to be piling up on them. It’s easy for God’s people to feel like God has stopped listening and is occupied with something which keeps Him from even noticing us. Several of the prophets wondered at times if the Lord was even listening. Job is the obvious example as he remarked on several occasions that God was no longer involved, even though on other occasions, he understood that God is intimately involved in the affairs of humanity.

So what do we do when we become exhausted and weary in the race of faith? What do we do when it seems as if God might be ignoring us? How can we keep going on when it feels as if the world is crashing down all around us and we have no more reserves inside?

Consider Him. That’s right. Nobody has ever experienced all that Jesus experienced as His race was to take Him to the cross to purchase our salvation. The hostility mounted against our Lord was beyond anything anyone has ever experienced. Yet, He endured for our sakes. Jesus did this in obedience to the Father’s will. This is our encouragement so that we will not grow weary and lose heart.

Conclusion

MacArthur states , The only time we sin, the only time we fail, is when we do not trust. . . As long as we are trusting God and doing what He wants us to do, Satan and sin have no power over us. . . When we run in the power of God’s Spirit, we run successfully.

This race is not simply about the end of life, but includes life today. Everyone of us can live like Jesus today as we are in our race of faith; that race which requires endurance. Which means we have to keep our eyes on Jesus.

As believers, we can be encouraged that God enables us to endure and run the race He has set before us.