The Race of Grace

UV 1118-10,000 The Race of Grace, the Fight of Faith
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Timothy 4 v 7

We are called to be great and not to “rat” it out. Man has two options before him: to run the rat race or to run in the race of grace. Grace is restoring us to the greatness that God had always intended for us. The rat race is about somehow by hook or by crook and on one’s own strength and gumption staying ahead of others, of accumulating more than others, of having more to show off. When we by faith opt out of the rat race, we opt into a race of grace. In this race, it is not speed or finishing first that counts. It is holding the baton of faith. It is staying focussed on finishing the course with faith and in faith. It is not about outdoing or outrunning the competition but it is about pacing one’s life against the Word of God. It is about casting off things that weigh us down either in terms of burdens, worries or sins. It is about staying focussed on the author and finisher of the race- Jesus who qualified us to run the race of grace. We have a reward waiting for us at the finishing line- a crown that is not corruptible or perishable. The race of grace requires us to be disciplined, patient, humble, contented, hopeful and faithful.
In the good fight to which we are called, we do not fight with others. We struggle and wrestle with our own body to bring it under the discipline of the Holy Spirit. We fight to tame our own tongue and our own inner passions. We fight to overcome temptations. We do not hurt or harm others but build our own faith even as a body builder trains to build all his body muscles. Our enemy is not another person but our own inner weaknesses that give an opportunity for the enemy of our soul to penetrate our lives and attempt to defeat us, neutralise our testimony and our influence. We fight our own evil desires and strive to nail it and to put it to death on the cross. We need to fight every day to deny ourselves and to affirm our faith with our words and our actions. The good fight requires us to be internally and spiritually strong, to endure hardship, to build up our spiritual stamina to resist evil, to guard against any weak moments when we feel like yielding to temptation or pressure or to give up. The good fight requires us to use our practical and robust common sense, to exercise strategic thinking like David when he offered to fight the giant and champion fighter Goliath.
Whether we describe our lives as a race of grace or a good fight, we need to finish well. Having begun well, we should not lose the plot while running or fighting. After every victory or challenge overcome, we should not be complacent or proud of ourselves. Our success should not puff up our minds or egos to think that hereafter we can do it on our own strength. We need to keep the faith till the very end, the last step, the last breath of our lives. Then the Lord will receive us and placing the crown of righteousness on our heads say, “ Welcome to your inheritance, you good and faithful servant, you competent runner, you great fighter.”

Prateep V Philip