Enduring The Race to Eternity

Growing up in life, I was always competitive. I understood the object of a game, a competition, and that was to finish first, or do the better than all the rest. I had a passion inside of me that did everything it could to be the best. Although through many of my competitive experiences there was no crown or medal that I would win, I still gave my all in everything that was brought to the table. Now, I wouldn’t say that is the best quality to have in this world because in someways it removes the idea of teamwork and brings in a sense of pride and self-righteousness. But I can say I’m am thankful of the fight it instilled in my life--the fight that never gives up even if you're down by an amount that is just against the odds but you never stop until the time runs out--that fight is something that all people need and must have. 

We live in a society where everything is given, and there shouldn't be much of a fight, or better said, a sense of endurance. Growing up in life, I heard many stories of men and women that gave everything they had just for their next generations. Many men gave their life for their country because they desired a freedom for the many people at home. They were passionate about what was most important and used their hope to continue in their “fight”. But today, we want it simple, we want it now, and we sometimes don’t want to strive to get what we want or more that need. We just expect it to happen without a sense of effort. 

Having an understanding of endurance changed my life. It has made me who I am today. And one of the biggest effects this attribute has had in my life is Spiritually. Understanding what God asks of me as a Christian, a follower of His Gospel, makes all the difference in my personal relationship with Him and with others. It changes the way you live and the way that you respond to Gods calling for all of our lives no matter what the task may be. Look at the word with me, Colossians 1:21-23 “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven.” 

Reading this verse gets me pumped. Just think about it. Without Christ, we are alienated. We are a foreign body that has is separated from God, but he can remove the death of sin and fill us with the righteousness of Christ by the redemptive blood paid at the Cross. And He tells us if indeed we continue in the faith, being stable and steadfast, we will have eternal Glory. Matthew 10:32-33 talks about acknowledging Jesus before others, and, if we do this then, He, being Christ, will acknowledge us before the Father, God the Father. But if we deny Him, then He will deny us before the Father. Who wants that? If there is any real fear in this world, it would have to be the fear of the unknown--the unknown if Jesus will acknowledge you before the father; the unknown if you are saved from death and are experiencing life; the unknown if you are His!

So we must ask ourselves the question: are we known? Do we acknowledge Him before others, do we continue our faith with steadfastness, or have we denied Him by not acknowledging him? The word reveals that He is always faithful to His word; therefore, we must test ourselves and know if we are in Him or away from Him (2 Corinthians 13:5). Also, if indeed He is always faithful to his word, then Matthew 10:32-33 should really make you think…

Whether you have a relationship with Him or not, you need a heart that will fight for YOUR life. Work out your salvation with endurance by standing true to the whole Gospel. Don’t let this world put lies into your mind. Don’t conform to a society that doesn't believe in the the whole truth of the Gospel. Endure 'til the end, and receive the eternal life that God promises. And if you're one that says “I just don’t know about all of this,” don’t wait for it to come to you. Fight and strive for an understanding that, when you receive it, you know without a doubt that God has revealed it to you. Not only will this bring hope to your life but it will also advance the kingdom so that many others will experience the gift of eternal life.