For the past several days we have been looking at Paul's use of athletic pursuits as a metaphor for the Christian life. One of the reasons we looking so closely at this, is the challenges we have to finish well in this race. Why is this important? Look around. How many people do you see really charging hard after the Lord in the later stages of life? Or how many accounts have you read of well known Christian leaders falling into sin and disgrace for one reason or another? It is a tough race to run. Christ tells us that many who think they are doing well, in reality are not, Matthew 7:20 -23. Paul tells us that we need to examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith, 2 Corinthians 13:5. John tells us that people will leave the faith who were never really a part of it, 1 John 2:19. Further, Christ told us that the kingdom will have people in it who are not really believers but are there from the evil one, Matthew 13:24 - 30. So this is important.
We have looked at what happens when we are injured. That will happen in this race. We have said that we need help to be healed and rehab from the injuries. But then we have to get back into the race. We need more men and women who finish strong. Those who fight through the pain of injury, who rehab and recharge their walk with God, and who re-enter the race, to finish strong.
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