Persevering in the Race

Persevering in the Race

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection. -1 Corinthians 9:27a

The word perseverance is defined as “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” (1) It is an active staying power that gives us a long-term perspective.

Perseverance plays a big part in a long distance race. As a runner goes mile after mile, he begins to “hit the wall.” This is the point where the body physically begins to tire and weaken and he emotionally begins to feel spent. The finish line seems very far away and quitting becomes a strong temptation.

Like in a long distance run, perseverance is necessary in the Christian life. Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we are to run the race marked out for us with perseverance. It is what helps us to consistently pursue right living in spite of the many obstacles we encounter. While non-believers will rely on their own personal determination and grit, the believer has an important heavenly resource to help him persevere.

Coaches can teach us the skills needed for our particular sport; and when Jesus was here on earth, He “coached” His disciples in how to follow Him. But as Jesus prepared to return to the Father in heaven, He knew that His followers would need someone else to guide them. He promised them a helper. And just like the disciples, “we still need that source of power to help give us the inner strength, courage and wisdom to keep moving forward.” (2)

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would live in the disciples, be with them forever, teach them all things and remind them of everything Jesus had said to them. (3) The Spirit’s role was to speak about sin and righteousness and judgment, to guide the disciples in truth and to glorify Christ as He fulfilled the role Jesus had for Him. (4)

Just as a long distance runner may struggle and want to give up, we too have times when we feel like we can’t go on. There seem to be too many temptations, distractions and obstacles in our way. In Hebrews 12:1-2 we learn that we are to get rid of any distractions that might interfere with our running our race successfully. “Athletes used to wear training weights to help them prepare for events.” (5) They would not wear these weights to compete, however, as they would slow the athlete down and tax their endurance.

An athlete must always choose between what is good and what is best. Thankfully, because of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we have the power to say no to wrong desires and ways of thinking and yes to our desire to finish the race strong.

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Paul encouraged us in Galatians 5:16 to walk by the Spirit and not fulfill the desires of our flesh (our old nature). We do this by submitting our will to the Holy Spirit. (6) The results of following the spirit will be the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (7) When we allow the Spirit to be our guide, He will give us direction, encouragement and power to follow God’s will. As we choose obedience over emotions, we can gain a “second wind”, a renewal of God’s strength.” (8)

Running the Christian life is not easy. We are told we will have difficulties. (9) But it is through all of the trials we face that we will develop to be mature and complete in Christ. (10) Satan wants to use the tests to tear us down; but God uses them to build us up. God’s goal for our lives is maturity. He wants to build our character to make us more like Jesus.

God spent 25 years working on Abraham before He gave him his promised son, Isaac. He spent 80 years preparing Moses for his 40 years of service. God worked 13 years in Joseph’s life, putting him into “various testings” before He could put him on the throne of Egypt. And Jesus spent 3 years training His disciples. (11) Just as God spent time preparing these people for future work, He also prepares us for things to come in our own personal faith race.

Another reason we are asked to endure trials is to bring glory to God. Jesus endured far more than anyone else we read about in the Bible. He endured the cross. This involved shame, suffering, opposition, and rejection. On the cross He suffered for all of the sins of all the world. He endured and finished the work the Father had given Him to do. (12) Because he finished the work God had for Him to do, we read in Philippians 2:9-11 that “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus brought glory to God by finishing the work God had for Him to do. Like Jesus, we need to keep looking ahead in faith so we can bring glory to God by the way we live our lives.

Finally, we persevere in the Christian life to receive what God has promised. (13)  James 1:12 says that “the one who perseveres under trial. . . will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Those who patiently endure trials are promised a crown. This is not our salvation, but a reward for the things we have done.

We are engaged in a brutal competition for our hearts. But as children of God, we have access to a divinely powerful weapon – the Holy Spirit. By staying in tune with the Holy Spirit at all times and executing the plays as He directs them (14), we can rise above the obstacles, grow in strength and maturity and bring glory to God. (15)

Take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to do the following in your life:
-Lead me in the right direction.
-Teach me how to be more like Jesus.
-Give me the courage and boldness to share my faith with others.
-Empower me to resist the urge to give in to temptations. (16)


(1) Merriam-Webster; http://www.merriam-webster.com/
(2) FCA Resources, “Power Up” (Kansas City, MO: 2010); http://fcaresources.com/bible-study/session-5-power
(3) John 14:16-18, 26
(4) John 16:7-14
(5) Warren Wiersbe, “Hebrews 12”, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, The Complete New Testament, (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2007), pg. 839.
(6) Galatians 5:18
(7) Galatians 5:22-23
(8) Rick Cole; (Colorado Springs, CO, 2010); http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Family/Faith/2010/oct/running-with-perseverance.aspx
(9) 1 Thessalonians 3:3
(10) James 1:3-4
(11) Wiersbe, “James 1:12-12”, pg. 852
(12) Weirsbe, pg. 839
(13) Hebrews 10:36
(14) FCA Resources, “Heart of a Winner” (Kansas City, MO: 2010), http://fcaresources.com/bible-study/session-6-heart-winner
(15) FCA Resources, “Rise into Glory” (Kansas City, MO: 2010), http://fcaresources.com/bible-study/session-7-rise-glory
(16) FCA Resources, “Power Up”

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