THE RACE OF FAITH

B. Mills

Even though the author, probably Paul, is talking about faith, and not a marathon, he has chosen to use a marathon type race to represent the Christian’s life from beginning to end.

We have all witnessed, on television if not live, triathlon or marathon races. The Greek culture, under which the writer of Hebrews lived, placed great emphasis on this type of sporting events. They still attract thousands of both participants, and also exuberant fans. The annual marathon in South Africa draws people from all over the world every year and most of the day the race is about all that there is to watch on television. I always found it fascinating to see the escorting motorcycles, each with a cameraman sitting backwards with his camera balanced in his hands so that he can keep it focused on the lead runners. He does not want the watchers of his channel to miss a single thing. His pictures will be sent by satellite around the world.. To win a gold or bronze metal is indeed a great honor.

Like the crowds which line the marathon route, and those watching television, the book of Hebrews likens every Christian life to that of the runner in the marathon. All are surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses. “we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses.” We need to be aware that nothing we do in life is unobserved. We are an open book. This is made clear when Jesus says, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” Luke 15:7; the same is repeated in Luke 15:10 “Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Following this, he tells us the beautiful story of the loving father (God) over his prodigal son who repented and returned home. Certainly God and the angels are aware of all if they rejoice and throw a party over even one person who repents! Imagine their joy when three thousand repented and were baptized on that fist Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, when the church came into being!

“Let us lay aside every sin” as did they.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (King James Version)

1 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, (Romans 13:12, Ephesians 4:22, 1 Corinthians 9:24, Galatians 2:2, Hebrews 10:16

2 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. (Hebrews 2:20, Philippians 2:8, Hebrews 2:9, 1 Corinthians 1:18, I Corinthians 1:23, Hebrews 13:13, Hebrews 1:3)

One watches the struggles of the mass of the runners. Some will give up. How we wept when some struggled and then gave up in the marathon. We suffer with them, but then we watch as runner after runner, takes the hand of a weaker partner in his group, and encourages them to keep trying. You can feel his concern. Oh that all Christians had that same concern to assist and encourage, even if it means that it is harder in that they may lose their front runner position. In the run of faith, one does not lose because of helping one another. He gains, for the point is to finish and to be able to say with Paul on that great day: (2 Timothy 4:7-8) “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

What a glorious day that will be when the church is all united as one. Our savior died for each one of us, that we might have life with Him.