Are You the One?

1 Cor. 9:24 - "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but ONE receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it."

The word "win" means: To lay hold of, so as to make ones own, prize of victory.

We should live with this mindset, it should be our motivation everyday, to be the "ONE"! In many more scriptures, Paul refers to his walk with God as a race.

In Hebrews 12:1, he says..."Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

I know, we don't know for sure who wrote the book of Hebrews, but it sure sounds like Paul to me! Chapter 11 had just spoke of the great men & women of faith who have gone before us! Therefore, he says, or because of this, we should lay aside every weight & sin that would ensnare us! These great men & women of faith kept their eye on the reward, or the prize. They didn't let circumstances, family, persecution, even lions, keep them from staying focused on what God had promised them. They were running their race with focus & purpose. In the same way, we should run with endurance (steadfastness) the race that is set before us!

Gal. 5:7 says..."You ran well, WHO hindered you from obeying the Truth? Many people start out their race well, but they let people (who's) hinder them or divert them from the racecourse.  Have you ever noticed in a race, you have to stay on the course. If you leave the course, try to take a shortcut or get to the finish line some other way, you are disqualified! So it is with our race, or walk with God on this earth, we MUST stay on course, or the narrow path. Jesus, Himself, said in Matt. 24:13...."he who endures to the end shall be saved." Not, he who started well but then did his own thing, but he who endures to the end, stays with the course that the Word of God has set before us, he shall be saved!!

Paul says in 2 Tim. 4:7...."I have fought the good fight, I have FINISHED the race, I have kept the faith." Paul was about to leave this earth, he was about to receive his reward, or prize, for his time here on earth. He kept with the plan of God for his life, he didn't let anyone divert him, he "finished" his race. He didn't let all the afflictions he went through on earth keep him from looking to that prize that was set before him at the finish line, he ran his race in such a way to win it!!

We should do the same!! Are you living your life so you can be that ONE to win?? If not, it's not too late to make the adjustments necessary to run your race and win. Follow the racecourse the Word of God has laid out for us. Stay on the narrow path that leads to life, don't let a "who" lead you down the wide path that leads to destruction! Keep that "prize"...Heaven...set before you...and hear "Well done, good and faithful servant, when you reach that finish line!

Until next time, may the Lord bless & keep you,

Your Sister in Christ,

Kathy