RACE
FOR SUCCESS
Hebrews
12:1-3
Verse 2:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat
down at the right hand at the throne of God.”
When you woke up today, did you lace up your sneakers,
stretch your muscles and begin running?
Me neither. But I did pray to
glorify God today. I put myself into
Jesus’ hands and asked Him to lead me by His Spirit.
That wasn’t always so.
My days used to belong to ME, not Christ. Then I grew up (in Christ) through trials and
hardships. Apostle Paul characterized
the Christian life as being a race—enduring through hardships. (Paul survived shipwrecks, beatings and
stoning [2 Corinthians 11:25]). He’s
right. People can learn how to live
successfully before their time runs
out. Many cross their finish line before
they’re ready.
If life were easy (the wide road Jesus talks about in
Matthew 7:13), anyone would find success.
Not necessarily financial success.
I’m talking about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit—what Romans
14:17 calls that the kingdom of God. I
know of nothing more successful than the kingdom of God living within me. When I’m out of money with no place to stay,
I don’t freak out. I fix my eyes on
Christ—“the author and perfecter of my faith.”
Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before
Him.” The joy Jesus envisioned was
believers like you and me living successfully—the kingdom of God within us. But how many believers understand that this was
also the point of Jesus “enduring the cross?”
Believers are adopted into God’s family (Ephesians 1:5). We have resurrection hope (1 Corinthians 15:19-21). Our eternal citizenship is in heaven
(Philippians 3:20). Believers in Christ
have eternal life—not eternal death (John 3:16). We’re encouraged to build a relationship with
God. Pretty cool, huh?
Believers are also the righteousness of God in Christ (2
Corinthians 5:21). ME? YOU?
Yes! If that isn’t success, I
don’t know what is! Regardless of our
living in a fallen world, believers can have PEACE. Jesus promises us peace—not as the world
gives (John 14:27). He is correct! Nothing surpasses the peace that comes from Jesus.
Joy is different from being happy in a situation. Joy is deep-down happiness, regardless of
circumstances. Believers know we are
righteous, saved and dearly-loved in Christ.
Our soul remains happy—even when life circumstances make us sad.
Take
Home Nugget
No believer must run alone. Jesus runs alongside us as our guide and our
destination! Tomorrow may be too late for
unbelievers to trust in Jesus!
Thank You, Jesus, for leading us to
success in life!
J.D.
Griffith
Written
for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com
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