Well the Olympics may well be over but life isn’t….
I love the way the New Living Translation renders Hebrews 12: 1b, 2 “let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
People were cheering all sorts of champions in all sorts of events throughout the Olympics, but nothing and no-one compares to Jesus and the race that he has run and won for us!
Where we have failed, where we are losers, he is the Winner!
This Jesus took on your place and my place in the race. He did it in our flesh – frail weak stuff. He faced the taunts of the enemy, he was tempted and tried in all points as we are, he knew hunger, grief and loss, but he won through and went to the cross where his last dying breath was “It is finished!” Yes he reached the finishing line and crossed it – Satan had no hold over him, the grave could not keep him – the price has been paid, Satan conquered and death gloriously defeated. HALLELUJAH!
Note this, the race that Jesus won is one we no longer have to, it’s a trick of the devil to suggest otherwise – it was a once for all time race, never to be repeated.
The race we run is on an entirely different basis – we can run this ‘life of faith’ race because he has already won! It’s not about pumping ourselves up, trying harder etc.. but looking away from ourselves to him who is our Saviour and Sanctifier, the Initiator and Perfecter of our faith.
Has the enemy got your eyes off Jesus and looking at yourself, how well you are or are not doing? Has he got you into the try harder, do better Christian life where you performing up to God? Have you lost your joy and peace?
Then take a fresh look at Jesus, and realise he is your Champion!
The Word 4 Life 