The Right Motive for Running

[Ncdataman]

The Right Motive for Running

"Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. . . . "
— Philippians 3:8



Back when I was in high school, I ran track and field. Whenever a pretty girl was watching, I always ran faster. I wanted to impress her.

If you are a Christian because someone else is or because you want to impress someone, then I have news for you: you are not going to make it in the race of life. You must run this race for the Lord himself. That is what will give you the strength to keep going.

The apostle Paul made clear his motive for running this race when he said, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings . . . " (Philippians 3:9). Notice that Paul didn't say, "That I may know about Him." We know about a lot of things today. We know about certain celebrities. You may have read articles that describe these people. You may know a lot about them. But you really don't know them.

In the same way, you can say, "I know all about Jesus. I know all about the Bible." But Paul didn't say He wanted to know about Jesus. He said he wants to know Him. There is a difference. You need to know about Him, but you also need to know Him. And that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12 says, "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith . . ." (vv. 1–2). That is the right motive for running. That is what will help you finish the race with flying colors.


Reprinted from Harvest

 

[abigya]

these verses came to my mind as i read


Philippians 1:15-17
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will:
16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

Blessings
abigya

 

[Bratface75]

The Right Motive for Running
Back when I was in high school, I ran track and field. Whenever a pretty girl was watching, I always ran faster. I wanted to impress her.

If you are a Christian because someone else is or because you want to impress someone, then I have news for you: you are not going to make it in the race of life. You must run this race for the Lord himself.

What a very powerful perspective.
Too many Christians run to impress thier pastor's, bosses, spouses, children etc... The only person we should be running to "impress" is the race to God. Jesus already ran the race and has paved the road for each of us.
Thank you for this devotional. :thumbs_up