RUNNING THE RIGHT RACE (1)
Ps. 19:4-17; Eccl. 9:11; Matt. 7:18-27; 11:12; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Heb. 12:1-3
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, Hebrews 12:1
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 1 Corinthians 9:26
INTRODUCTION TO DIFFERENT RACES. ~ Eccl. 9:10-12
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, 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 favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
Generally, life is a race that begins at the cradle of conception. Science tells us that over tens to hundreds of millions of sperms compete for a chance to be fertilized at one moment. Therefore, everyone of us is a product of victory secured by this race of conception. Hereafter, the true purpose and meaning of life is defined by the battles and races we JUST MUST RUN.
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. Genesis 25:26.
For Jacob and Esau, the race for supremacy over who becomes the firstborn began in the womb. Jacob was bent and determined to overthrow Esau and emerge as the firstborn. When he could not, he tried to resist the coming forth of Esau by laying hold on his heel. Hence his Hebrew name Yaakov meaning heel catcher or supplanter. However, what he could not achieve in the womb, he did it in real life.
There are countless races we daily engage in. Running the right race is not only the race that will guide you make it to heaven at last. It includes that which will make you live healthy, survive and succeed here on earth no matter where you find yourself.
SURVEY OF DIFFERENT RACES IN LIFE
- The race to survive and make it in life. Gen. 25:26; 2 Kings 7:3-8
- Righteous race by keeping to the spiritual rules, avoiding compromise and still aiming at success.
Gen. 39: 7-15; Esther 2: 5-7, 11-17; Dan. 1:2-15; 6:1-3. - Success race at all cost and without caution (i.e. running both the right and wrong races). Gen. 34:1-3, 8-9, 13-16, 24-29; 35:22; 49:1-4; 2 Kings 5:20-27.
- Political and rivalry race. Num. 16:1-3; 2 Kings 8:7-15; 11:1-15
- Deployment of wisdom in the race of war. Eccl. 9:13-16, 18.
- Competition race in the field of academics, different sports, create a new world record in athletics, reach the peak in football career etc. Eccl 9:11; 1 Cor 9:24-26; Gal. 5:7; Heb. 12:1
- Race to succeed in business and become renown in international global world etc.
In all, we must be guided by the rules of the race else after you have so run, you will hear the supervisors say, DISQUALIFIED. YOU DID NOT KEEP TO THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.
+234903222664