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Running the Good Race

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You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

Galatians 5:7

Satan’s goal is to pull us away from the Lord and he will use any means possible. He will use other people to tempt us in our weaknesses, help us justify something that is not pleasing to God, place doubt in our minds regarding God’s promises, or deceive us with false teachers. There are many ways someone can cut in on our race and tempt us to stop obeying the truth.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32). If we know the truth of God’s Word we will not be deceived by false teachers, and if we experience the Lord in our lives we will know God is faithful to his promises. By two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul (Hebrews 19:18-19). If we live by the truth we overcome self justification, because when we live by the truth there is no justification needed.

This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press towards the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13-14). Paul ran the good race and he never looked back. He kept pressing on to win the prize of the high calling of Christ. We can do the same when we keep running the good race. Nothing, or no one, can stop us from winning the prize; the eternal life we have with the Father and the Son.

If we run the good race we will continue in spiritual growth and Satan will be powerless in his efforts to stop us. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). God’s love gives us the endurance, and faith gives us the motivation to finish the race; stronger at the finish than we were at the start. I used to run triathlons and the closer I got to the finish line, the more determined I was to complete the race.

Today, see yourself running the good race and let nothing tempt you to temporarily stop or slow down. Continue the race knowing that the Lord is with you and is going before you. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8). Know the Lord is running with you and that he is clearing the road, guaranteeing you will finish the race and receive the prize. Never be discouraged. Keep running the race!

Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to continue running the good race and to not let anything or anyone stop me. Give me the endurance and increase my motivation to serve you as I continue further in the race. Guide me so that my run is pleasing in your sight. In Jesus’ name, Amen