Is it possible to run this race, yet be hindered at the end? Can we in fact possess so great an initial fervency, yet allow it to become one whose blaze continually and casually diminishes toward our finish line? Yes. The Ephesian church had this disease, in fact. Initially, they received such great and profound truth from the Apostle Paul, and were steadily growing up towards completion; they were even called "the faithful in Christ Jesus" (Eph 1:1). But years later their testimony was: "thou hast left thy first love", or, as the Greek literally reads, "thou hast left thy love-feast" (Rev 2:4). What an awful scenario!
Similarly, of the prodigal's self-righteous brother, we see a comparable digression. Initially, we see little to inform us of his sinful state. In fact, his testimony is silent; All we know of him is the assumed sharp contrast he had to his younger, more sinful brother. However, in the end we read, "he was angry, and would not go in..." (Lk 15:28). What an awful way to end one's testimony!
Friend, it isn't how we start this race, but it's how we gracefully RUN this race which ultimately will determine the manner that we finish this race. Remember, it's not to the swift nor to the strong, but to those who humbly acknowledge God's ability in them. As we saw yesterday, it's those who humbly accept God's tools toward attainment that will be found bearing a crown!
The following is a somewhat strange depiction that illustrates this principle wonderfully. Observe:
"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed" (Jn 20:1-8).
How interesting that both disciples "ran together". Ironically, the one who was the fastest, and came to their desired destination first, "went not in"! The other "slower" disciple arrived later, but went in immediately! WOW! Ecclesiastes 9:11 is being acted out in real life! "...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..."
Can we really run with such fervor yet be delayed at properly entering in? Can we, in fact, be the fastest, the strongest, and the most naturally able, yet remain in a state of unbelief and rebellion? Yes we can. Friend, if we don't utilize God's provision on this race (as we saw yesterday), we will never finish successfully! We may try to run and strive by carnal efforts, but our hearts will prevent us from truly entering in. We may be close to the finish line, but we'll stop too short, only to watch others come to fruition.
I love how the other, slower disciple arrived late, yet passed his friend and entered into the place of Christ's death, and ultimately, the place of His resurrection too! Of this place of genuine rest, the Bible says, "Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief" (Heb 4:5-6).
What a wonderful finish line this must have been! And what a wonderful crown that will be waiting for those who allow God's enablement to propel them through the finish line, rather than stopping just short of it in fear and unbelief.
Reader, let's take heed to the Word of life, that by it, our RUNNING may be fruitful, and not in vain (Phil 2:16).
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