When you run a race, believe it or not there are rules. Whether it’s a relay, track race, road race, and trail race, all these races have rules. If you break those rules you are disqualified from winning. We understand this concept it sports. Yet, when it comes to God we seem to balk at the idea that in order to run and win His marathon you’ve got to follow His rules.
Paul tells us plainly if you are an athlete you must compete according to the rules to win. We are running God’s race. He is the Race Director. He is the President of STF – Spiritual Track and Field.
What does this mean?
👟 He makes the race rules.
👟 He enforces the race rules.
👟 He disqualifies runners who break those rules.
God has given us commandments for how to enter and run His race.
👟 Hear and Believe (Romans 10:17)
👟 Confessed Christ is Lord (Romans 10:9)
👟 Repent and Be Baptized (Acts 2:38)
👟 Walk Worthily (Colossians 1:10)
👟 Obey His Commandments (John 14:15)
👟 Live Humbly (1 Peter 5:6)
👟 Serve Others (Mark 10:43)
👟 Serve God (Romans 12:1)
👟 Worship God (John 4:24)
The rules are nonnegotiable. If you want to run God’s marathon and be eligible for the finisher medal, you’ve got to try your best to run by His rules.
Now, the reality is – you’ve all broken those rules at some time (Romans 3:23) and because of that we could and should all be immediately disqualified (Romans 6:23). BUT – God showed His mercy and love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were rule breakers and enemies so that we could have a chance to continue to run His race (Romans 5).
Here is the catch to God’s plan of reconciliation – you are only reconciled through Jesus. If you want to run in God’s race and not be disqualified for breaking His rules, you’ve got to be on Jesus’ running team. Your bib and singlet must read JESUS otherwise you’re not an eligible runner.
Don’t get to the end of the race only to realize you ran it outside of the rules and with the wrong team. Don’t get to end the race only to be told by God – “You were never a real runner in this race. Your bib number doesn’t belong in this race. You’ve run bandit and you don’t qualify for my finisher medal.” (Matt. 7:21-23)
So remember, we are running God’s race. If we want to win His crown, we must run according to HIS rules. #runningtherace
Adonai's Appeal 