The believer’s race is a spiritual race different from the athletic race of this world. It is not the struggles in the wind for the quest or desire to be the best, famous in life, rich and great in material and financial possession without God in the world in the pride of it. Yet, the bible is clear that in life nobody knows how to make things happen (the race is not to the swift) except God which direct and perform all things by chance and time or according to his purpose in men’s life.
Sometimes, I heard some fools and ignorant men as saying.….I have planned my life and shape my destiny perfectly, but why do we have and see slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves on earth? Why sometimes the rich sit in low place and folly is set in great dignity? (Ecclesiastes 10:6 – 7) Why is the wise servant who with good reason has rule over a son that causes shame? (Proverbs 17:2) Why sometimes the odious woman is married to a good man though the earth cannot bear her? Why sometimes the servants rules and fool is filled with meat and a handmaid become heir to her mistress? (Proverbs 30:21 – 23) In view of the unforeseen and unpredictable events of life in the pleasure of him (God) that works all things according to his good pleasure and purpose, Solomon by the wisdom and revelation of God come under conclusion that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11. In all his desire for wisdom and aspiration for it: his hastiness for greatness, wealth and riches and success in all and for the largeness of heart given by God, Solomon summed up that all is emptiness and vexation of spirit (nothing satisfying nor worthwhile like communion and relationship with God) and the best race to run in life is the race for heaven in the fear of God by keeping his commandments in Christ Jesus and be the best to be good or in doing good in life. Ecclesiastes 2: 9 – 11. (5) 25 – 26. (12) 13 – 14.
In the kingdom, the fastest is never the best as our race to heaven should be run with patience, diligent and all carefulness. Sometimes, the first are last and the last are first. We cannot bring forth fruit unto God without patience. We cannot grow into maturity without patience. We cannot be all that God desire and plans for us to be without time and patience – the patience in the spirit in better than the proud in the spirit……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, 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 12: 1– 2. Believer’s race for heaven is not like the sprinter race of this world competing for a corruptible crown and fading glory despite the rigorous preparation and discipline leading up to the event….Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9: 24 – 27.
No hastiness in faith life. Whosoever believes shall not make haste. Faith is now, but its expectation is in the future – the substance of things hoped (patiently– waiting Isaiah 28:16) for. No hurriedness in life, no race against the time (your times are in the hands of God) and no hurry to heaven: for the Lord shall call you home when your time is up and your work here is done. There is no hastiness in anything pertaining to God as he orders and guides us by his Spirit according to the pleasure of his will. Our Spiritual growth and maturity, (Luke 8:15) the un-​folding of divine purposes and obtaining of his promises are all set for a time and divine calendar as it is written and plans for us before God in Christ Jesus. We must learn to wait and grow in patience before God and man. Rom. 5: 1 – 5. (8) 24 – 25. Hebrews 6; 10 – 12: 10: 35 – 36. James 5:7 – 11. 1 Thessalonians 5 14.
Self comparison and competition is a sin in the kingdom. Different gifts and operations in the kingdom are for the overall benefits and good of all in the absent of talents superiority and self exaltation. More talents call for greater accountability and responsibility. We are to patiently get along with what the Lord is doing through us and others according to his grace and our measure of faith. All believers meet in Christ the common head, are actuated by one and the same Spirit, are guided by one rule, meet here at one throne of grace, and hope shortly to meet in one common inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled reserved in heaven for us. 1 Peter 1:3 – 4. Romans 12: 3 – 8. 2 Corinthians 10:12. Are there rules and regulations on earth, there are rules and regulations in heaven and for heaven. Are there rules and regulations in every discipline and profession on earth, there are disciplines and regulations in the kingdom of God. In our relationship with God, with one another, children to parents, wife to husband, citizens to government or the state — there are rules and bounds of relationship in words and in deeds; we do not try to trespass lest we be penalized, punished or disqualified. Job 38: 33.
We don’t want to serve the Lord in vain, neither do we intend to get to the gate of heaven and are shut out because we have not played and lived by the rules of the race for the kingdom of heaven (1 Timothy 4:16. 2 Timothy 2:5) Generally speaking, if you want to be a known and approved lawyer, you must study the law. If you want to be a known and approved doctor in the society, you must do the same. If you abide not by the codes of conducts of that profession, your license or permission to practice it shall be withdrawn – hence, obedience to every word of God; seriousness and carefulness is required to get to heaven as we play by the rules in the holy writs. Galatians 3: 1 – 4. Galatians 5:7 – 8. Hebrews 2: 1 – 3. The believer should be careful with his words and mouth (Proverbs 18:7. Matthew 12; 31 – 37. Ephesians 4; 29 – 32.) He should be careful in his spiritual and moral attitudes. Matthew 5:27 – 30. 1 Thess. 4:1 – 8. Hebrews 12: 12 – 14.
The spiritual sprinter and athlete should be mentally tough and strong. He should be physically and mentally determinate to run the race to the end….according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20 – 21. Come what may, we must hold on to Christ, live on for him and stand fast till the end of our pilgrim journey. The Lord which has started with us is with us and shall see us through till the end of the race. Wherever we are weak, we should ask for more grace and strength: and when our love is going down, we should ask for renewal of it in our hearts, for Christ lives forever and able to save to the end. There is no price for half runners; you must not sit still or lying down where you have fallen; stand up and keep running the race and moving forward to the end. Jeremiah 8: 4 –7. Revelation 2: 5. There is no price for the backsliders. Matthew 24: 13. Luke 9: 62. Hebrews 10: 37 – 39. There is no price for the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars…. Revelation 21: 8.