Until the desire to walk in freedom with Jesus becomes greater than the desire to sin, we will continue to be pulled back into what keeps us from running our race well.
Running with endurance
Hebrews 12 calls believers to run their race with endurance, recognizing that hardship can be used by God to shape character and strengthen faith. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone or built on circumstances that can change.
What the race requires
- Run your race well.
- Keep your focus on Jesus and persevere faithfully through the race God has given you.
- Endurance requires laying aside what hinders you and continuing forward even when the path is difficult.
- What hurts deeply the Lord can use greatly.
- Hardship can become a means God uses to refine character and deepen faith.
- Rather than wasting difficult seasons, ask how God might be using them to shape you.
- Don’t go solo.
- Faith is strengthened through the encouragement, accountability and support of other believers.
- We need people who will help us persevere when the race becomes difficult.
- Stand on what cannot be shaken.
- Circumstances, comfort and earthly things can change, but God’s kingdom remains secure.
- Faith stands firm by trusting what God has established rather than what is temporary.
Questions to ask
- Is there sin in my life?
- Am I using the hardships in my life to allow God to refine me?
Key terms
ἀγωνία (agonía)— The state of feeling the intense pressure, fear or physical strain associated with that contest.
Insight
- Run faithfully by keeping your eyes on Jesus and persevering through what lies ahead.
- Hardship can become a place of spiritual growth when we allow God to use it for refinement.
- The Christian life is strengthened through relationships with others who encourage us to remain faithful.
- Lasting faith is built on God’s unshakable kingdom rather than circumstances that can change.