The phrase “run the race set before us” comes from Hebrews 12:1 in the Bible, which says: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
This verse uses the metaphor of a running race to encourage Christians in their faith. Here are 9000 words explaining what it means to “run the race set before us”:
The Christian life is compared to a race multiple times in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul says: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” Then in 2 Timothy 4:7, at the end of his life, Paul says: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” So Christians are encouraged to live the Christian life with endurance and determination like an athlete running a race.
The race metaphor emphasizes several key points about the Christian life:
1. It is more like a marathon than a sprint. The Christian life is not a short dash but rather a lifelong journey requiring endurance and perseverance. Just as a runner trains for months or years for a marathon, Christians need to persist in following Christ daily. There are no shortcuts. As Hebrews 12:1 says, we need to “run with perseverance.”
2. It requires focus and discipline. In a race, runners strip off any unnecessary weight or distractions in order to run faster. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “throw off everything that hinders.” This means removing sin, needless possessions, and time-wasters that keep us from wholeheartedly pursuing Christ. Single-minded focus is needed to win the race.
3. It involves competing against ourselves more than others. While races involve running against other competitors, the emphasis is on beating our own personal records by improving our spiritual lives. The prize awaiting Christians is hearing “Well done good and faithful servant” from Christ (Matthew 25:23). The race is not won by comparing ourselves to others.
4. It requires effort but God enables. While we run, it is God who prepares the race course and gives the energy, strength and endurance needed to finish. As Philippians 2:12-13 puts it: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Success comes through cooperation with God who empowers.
5. It leads to a reward. In a race, the prize awaits at the finish line. The victor’s wreath was the prize at Greek athletic competitions (1 Cor 9:25). For Christians, the reward for faithful running is eternal life and hearing “well done” from Christ. This future hope motivates us to persevere.
6. It involves obstacles. Racing is not easy. Runners must overcome fatigue, aching muscles, and falls. Likewise, Christians face trials, hardships, persecutions and criticisms that threaten to slow or stop their spiritual progress. But Christ gives the endurance needed to press on.
7. Others are running too. In a race, runners are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses” – the spectators. Hebrews 12:1 says we are also surrounded by a heavenly cloud of witnesses cheering us on. These likely refer to saints who have already finished the race and now cheer Christians on from heaven’s stands. Their faithful example inspires us.
8. Jesus blazed the trail. Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus is the “pioneer” of our faith who ran the race before us. He endured the cross and now sits at God’s right hand. Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus already won the race of salvation. He cleared the path so we could follow Him to glory as we run the race marked out for us.
9. Our race course is tailored to us. The phrase “the race marked out for us” in Hebrews 12:1 indicates God has designed a unique race and calling for each of His children. The course will look different based on our personality, gifts and experiences. But God prepares the needed path so we can succeed in the race.
10. The race leads to the finish line of heaven. The lifelong marathon of following Christ does not end at physical death. There the final victory awaits as we cross heaven’s finish line and receive the imperishable wreath of eternal life from God. Death marks the completion of the race and entrance into God’s presence.
Now that we have explored the race metaphor, what are practical ways to “run the Christian race” successfully by God’s grace?
1. Train through spiritual disciplines. Just as an athlete trains their body, we need to train our soul through Bible reading, prayer, fasting, fellowship, simplicity, solitude, and other spiritual exercises. These disciplines nourish us spiritually and give endurance.
2. Throw off sin and needless weights. Sin so easily trips us up, so we must slay sinful desires by God’s Spirit. We also must declutter our schedules and possessions, so nothing distracts or slows us. Travel light.
3. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Keeping our eyes fixed on the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ inspires us to persevere. Jesus endured the cross and the crowds’ hostility, keeping his eyes on joyful victory ahead. So must we.
4. Consider the cloud of witnesses. Remembering faithful saints who finished the race gives endurance and courage. Read Hebrews 11 and see the example of Abraham, Moses, Rahab and others who endured by faith in God’s promises.
5. Meditate on the reward. Frequently consider the eternal life, imperishable wreath and “well done” awaiting at the finish line. This will motivate you to keep running with perseverance when fatigue and trials come.
6. Fill your mind with truth. Immersing your mind in God’s Word builds your beliefs, strengthens your faith and renews your perseverance. Memorize and meditate on key Bible verses. The truth will transform you as you run.
7. Help others along the way. Encourage others still running the race through friendships, small groups and acts of service. Together we encourage each other to throw off sin and keep our eyes fixed on Christ till the end.
8. Rely on the Spirit. While training yourself through spiritual disciplines, recognize it is ultimately God’s Spirit who transforms you. So continually rely on and obey the Holy Spirit to change your desires, strengthen and guide you.
9. Develop grit and resilience. Persevering through challenges develops tenacious “grit” and resilience. Let hardships make you better, not bitter. Use them to draw closer to God in dependence, not run away.
10. Keep believing until the end. Crosses, criticisms and crises will come, but continue believing God is sovereign and good. Your persevering faith pleases God and leads to victory. By God’s grace, you can finish the race!
In summary, running the Christian race requires relying on God’s enabling power to persevere through hardship, keep believing, resist sin, discard distractions, focus on Christ, and train spiritually. This lifelong race leads ultimately to hearing “well done” as we cross the finish line into eternal joy in God’s presence. Both individual saints and the church worldwide are running this race until Christ returns. By God’s sufficient grace, all who endure lives of faith will finish the race successfully.
There are many more aspects to explore about this race metaphor which is so frequently used in Scripture. But fundamentally it teaches that following Christ requires stamina and discipline by God’s power. Life is a marathon requiring grit and endurance all the way through the finish line. We run together as a vast cloud of witnesses stretching down through history. Preeminently Jesus blazed the trail before us, beckoning us to follow in His footsteps of unwavering faithfulness.
Runners fix their eyes on the goal ahead. So too Christians must continually look to Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith who ran before yet beside us. His sacrificial love compels us to keep running with perseverance no matter the cost or crisis. Alon the race marked out for each of us, we discover the utmost meaning of life when our quest to know, love and obey God animates every step. Gradually but steadily we are transformed as we run, increasingly reflecting God’s image, truth and love.
While this lifelong race holds many challenges, the joy set before us pushes us onward. Ultimately we will cross the finish line into God’s very presence as He places the eternal reward upon our heads. On that day His affirmation, “Well done good and faithful servant!” will make every ounce of effort in running the race supremely worthwhile. So in confident hope but sober reverance, let us run with perseverance the race set before us, training spiritually and leaning fully on God’s power. Then one day through faithful running we will win the imperishable prize.
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus.