Pace Yourself

 

In most races, contestants run a predetermined course and the person who finishes the fastest is deemed the winner, whom then receives a prize. However, this isn’t the kind of race God designed for us to run in.

 

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV)

11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

 

The difference is the objective. The objective of the race God has placed us in is to inspire as many spectators as possible to join and run alongside us. Obviously, this race isn’t physical, but spiritual; God doesn’t care about anyone running around, He cares about souls!

 

Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

 

Don’t you see the race we’re running in? We, the body of Christ, have been commissioned to storm every city, town, and village with a great cloud of witnesses to rain down upon every man, woman, and child with the goodness of His glory!

 

1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV)

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

 

God doesn’t want us to run half-heartedly, He wants us to run like there’s only going to be one winner at the finish line! We must give God our greatest efforts to receive God’s greatest blessings! However, if our witness is going to be successful, then we must know what it should consist of and how to exercise it.

 

 

Acts 2:38 (KJV)

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

You see, there are a couple pre-requisites to running in this race:

 

1. 1.    Then Peter said unto them, Repent,
   1. a.    As Christians, we must repent, or admit that we are born sinners and turn away from our past lives. Repentance is where our spiritual lives start, because it is the first step to placing God where he needs to be in our lives.
2. 2.    And be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
   1. a.    A lot of Christians repent and think that they are saved, but per the word of God this can’t be. We must be baptized in the name of Jesus! Why? Because baptism submerges us in the Blood of the Spotless Lamb, which covers our sins and extends grace down to us.
3. 3.    And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   1. a.    If you follow the first two steps right, you will be filled with the Holy Ghost! The Holy Ghost is God’s spirit living within us, whispering in our ear, directing our every action. Through His spirit is how we receive our instructions!
   2. b.   Have you repented and been baptized in Jesus name, but still haven’t received the gift of the Holy Ghost? If so, you may need to revisit repentance, because God won’t fill you with His spirit if you don’t fully repent! You cannot just admit you’re a sinner, you must turn away from your past life! YOU CAN’T RUN HALF-HEARTEDLY!

 

1 Peter 3:15 (KJV)

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

 

 

Sanctify – to purify or free from sin: to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.

 

Matthew 6:21 (KJV)

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

If you don’t value salvation, then you won’t care to work towards it, nor will you care to share the opportunity with anyone else!

 

Ephesians 4:13-16 (KJV)

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

When the Holy Ghost is working inside of us, we don’t have to worry about falling into belief of false doctrines, because we have the truth living inside of us! If you seek Him above all other things, He will work out all the details in your life; just stay faithful!

 

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of our hearts! That means we can use the word of God to examine ourselves!

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

Now understand, God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but he does expect us to strive for perfection. If we aren’t continually repenting from the things that displease God, then we aren’t allowing God’s spirit to work in us! He wants us to grow and by our growth, others are inspired to follow suit!

 

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

In conclusion, God has placed us on this earth for a very specific reason, and that reason is to edify the body of Christ. As Christians, we must stay focused on what God wants of us before anything else. God is calling us to grow not only by ourselves, but to help others grow further in their walks with the Lord, and plant the seeds in the lives who don’t have a walk with Him. We cannot forget that we are imperfect people attempting to implement a perfect plan; you will fall short, but It’s the getting back up on your feet that counts. Come on somebody, brush off your shoulders, pick yourself up, and pace yourself!