Five important principles for how to finish your race
Here are five important principles that can be learned from Bible passages about running your race (successfully completing the journey of life) . These principles are based on Acts 20:24 .
“But I do not consider my life of any value to me, if only I may complete the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)
1. Stay Focused on the Goal
As the apostle Paul said, our race is not for personal achievement alone but for the glory of God and His service . Worldly things can be distracting, but we must keep our focus on the ultimate goal of our race , the heavenly prize (2 Timothy 4:7-8) .
Practical Application : Make God’s plan and calling a priority in our daily lives.
2. Run with Endurance and Perseverance
Hebrews 12:1-2 says: “…let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Life’s difficulties can be tiring, but we must keep moving forward with patience, prayer, and faith.
Practical Application : Trust in God without losing faith, even in difficult situations.
3. Discipline Yourself Spiritually
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says: “In a race all run, but only one receives the prize. So run so as to win.” Like athletes, we need to practice spiritual discipline (prayer, Bible study, self-control) .
Practical application : Daily prayer, Bible study, and applying God’s Word to our lives.
4. Remove Spiritual Hindrances
Sometimes we run with unnecessary worries, anger, pride, or sins that slow us down. Hebrews 12:1 says: “…let us put away the sin that so easily entangles us.”
Practical application : Evaluate your life and eliminate negative habits.
5. Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 12:2 says: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Paul drew inspiration from Jesus to finish his race.
Practical Application : Make Jesus your inspiration, not the temporary things of the world.
conclusion:
Our race in life is not easy, but by staying focused on the right goal, moving forward with patience, adopting spiritual discipline, shedding the burdens of sin, and taking Jesus as our guide , we can successfully finish our race. Like the apostle Paul, we should be able to say at the end of the day:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Now it’s your turn:
How can you apply these principles to successfully complete your race?