RUNNING THE RACE BEFORE US

SIX NECESSARY ELEMENTS IF WE ARE GOING TO EFFECTIVELY PURSUE THE PRIZE OF SPIRITUAL PERFECTION.

1A    AN AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO PURSUE A BETTER CONDITION.

2A    YOU MUST GIVE MAXIMUM EFFORT IN PURSUING THAT CONDITON.

“But I follow after,” vs. 12

·       i.e. Press on “I am pursuing.” Press forward; try to achieve something, run after.

·       Verb. Indic pres. action. A continuous action or result.

·       An expression for the quest of Christian values. Romans 14:19; 1 Timothy 6:11.

·       To aspire, to seek, to go after something.

·       The pursuit of Christian objectives.

o   Romans 12:13            Hospitality

o   Romans 14:19; 1 Peter 3:11; Hebrews 12:14 Mutual Peace

o   I Corinthians 14:1 Holiness and Love

o   I Thess.5:15 Doing Good.

o   1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:22  Righteousness

·       Paul sees the Christian life as ultimately directed to this goal. He presses on like a runner set on winning the victor’s prize. Knowing Romans 9:16, 30.

·       Paul says this not because he is discouraged but he’s encouraged.

·       A sprinter in this race.

·       An aggressive, energetic endeavor.

·       I Corinthians 9:24-27, I Timothy 6:12, Hebrews 12:1-2 Running the race to win.

·       Serious and earnest in his desire to “follow after.”

·       Not being content just to be merely saved.

·       The race is a long-distance race.   

Why all this continuous all-out effort?

·       Jesus is coming

·       People are dying, 6,000 each day.