When running with a group, it’s important you pick the right group otherwise your entire run could be ruined. You want to pick people who run a similar pace, you have the same approach to running, who are encouraging and supportive, and who create a running environment that helps you not hurts you.
It is the same with our spiritual run. While Paul is talking specifically about picking a mate, the principle can be applied to all relationships. Paul is saying do not run in a group that is going to make it harder for you to finish your spiritual run.
He isn’t saying you can’t interact with unbelievers. But what he is saying is do not become unequally attached. Unbelievers do not have the same approach to life. They do not have the same values or world view. When we fill our running group with unbelievers they will – intentionally or unintentionally – make our spiritual run harder.
Paul rhetorically asks, “What partnership does righteousness have them lawlessness? Or, what fellowship has light with darkness?”
The answer is clear – none. The righteous should not partner up with the unrighteous. Light cannot coexist with the dark.
Sometimes, we associate with and even become
close with individuals with do not help us run our spiritual race. They actually make it harder. This is unwise. Running with the wrong partner or group is never beneficial. It can only lead to problems.
We have to be very careful about who we run our spiritual race with. Who should be part of our running group?
Our running partners should be:
👟 encouraging, not discouraging.
👟 obedient, not self-willed.
👟 loving, not hateful.
👟 humble, not arrogant.
👟 forgiving, not vengeful.
👟 fair, not unfair.
👟 God-fearing, not irreverent.
👟 Spiritual minded, not earthly minded.
Our running group should love God and want to make it heaven. How can we expect to meet our spiritual goals when the individuals we’ve decided to partner up with do not share our goals? Who will we turn to in our group when our race gets hard if they don’t take training runs as seriously as we do? Who will hold us accountable when we slow down our pacing or try to quit our plan? Who will encourage us to keep the running – if we’ve partnered up with people who don’t take it as seriously?
Don’t pick the wrong running group for the most important race of your life. Partner up with runners who are running the same race and who hope for the same outcome. #runningtherace
Adonai's Appeal 