RUNNING THE RACE

RUNNING THE RACE

Friday, November 08, 2019

Hebrews [ESV] 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

  As did the apostle Paul, I’m running “the race set before us” in maturity knowing what in my past has resulted in faintedheartedness. Consequently, through years past guidance of wonderful elder mentors, I know I must periodically review certain areas in remembrance. The following that in 2010 I awoke with is one. Let us prayerfully ponder together God’s Truth therein.

EBB4

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A GOOD DAY’S CLEARING SIGHT

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born again, he cannot *see the kingdom of God. [ *Strong’s “see”: G1492; εἴδω, eidō, i'-do; A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, G3700 and G3708; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know: - be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wist, wot.]

            Matthew 6:22-23 The light of the body is the eye. Therefore if your eye is sound, your whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

  Fresh vision begins with trusting Jesus, The Word (Jn.1:1), as our one and only personal Savior (Acts 4:10-12), and increasingly corrected vision if and as we thereafter trust The Word as Lord. One way godly vision is detected is through how we see our days.

  “Have a good day.” . . . “good day” meaning what? (Mt.6:22-23; 2Cor.5:7, 17; Eph.2:1-5)

  Ask a non-Christian to define a good day and you will typically get:

·         A day that I feel good emotionally and physically.

·         A day that runs smoothly without a lot of stress.

·         A day, successful, that I accomplish goals.

·         A day that I get respect, recognition and appreciation.

  Ask a Christian the same question and you will typically get the same answers.

  It is not a good day and will never be a good day for professing Christians that think exactly like non-Christians, yours truly included!

  A good day for a Christian is when whatever happens or does not happen, is seen and thought of as the Lord’s day with our fulfilling our mandate to live and rejoice in it! “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps.118:24)

  A few items that I see as essential to a good day for God’s children:

·         That we exercise healthy reverence (fear & appreciation) for God. (Ex.20:3; Mt.22:33-40)

·         That we gain wisdom. (Job 12:12; Proverbs et al)

·         That we trust that any understanding to be had is through and by God. (Job 28:12-28)

·         That any understanding can only be realized as we depart from evil. (Job 28:28; James 1:5-8)

·         That we don’t demand present understanding of events. (Job 38:1-41; Isaiah 55)

·         That we accept all days as His day. (Ps.118:24a)

·         That we see God in it. (Ps.118:24)

·         That regardless of events we rejoice in it. (Ps.118:24b; Phil.4:4)

·         That understanding comes through fear and love. (Prov.1:7; 2Pet.3:10-11; 1Jn.4:1-21)

·         That we live knowing that life is not about “bread alone”. (Mt.4:4a; Phil.4:11-13)

·         That we manifest living by God’s Word. (Mt.4:4b)

·         That we relate to our fellow man with godliness. (Mt.22:38-39)

·         That we don’t view life by mere physical sight. (2Cor.5:7)

·         That we act and react as those indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit. (Jn.1:12; Gal.5:22,23; Eph.5:9)

·         That we don’t make it about us. (Phil.4:5)

·         That we give every care over to God. (Phil.4:6; 1Pet.5:7)

·         That we thereby experience God’s peace. (Phil.4:7,9; 1Tim.2:2))

·         That we fix our thoughts on all that is right and good. (Phil.4:8)

·         That we always check options first with The Guide. (Phil.4:13; 2Tim.3:16-17)

·         That, like them or not, we pray for our leaders. (1Tim.2:2)

·         That we study to show ourselves equipped and approved by God, the Ultimate Judge. (2Tim.2:14-16; 3:16-17; Heb.9:27;11:6)

·         That we seek believer’s maturation in it. (Heb.5:12-14; James 1:2-4; 1Pet.2:1-3)

·         That does not hinge on our getting respect, recognition, and appreciation. (James 1:9-11)

  So, dear brother or sister in Christ, how now do we determine and see what is a good day? 

EBB4