Finish the Race

Responding to Jim731, God gave us freedom of choice, wanting us to choose Him, which supports this article that we must make a conscious choice daily to stay in relationship with God. Do not underestimate the power of the enemy at work every minute of every day to try to entice us away from Our Creator and Savior. I, too, put my faith and trust in the power of Jesus Christ, but I spend time in His Word and in prayer to maintain that relationship and to grow deeper in love with Him, as we are commanded in the Bible. Consider Joshua 1:8 NIV "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it." Or Psalms 119:97 NIV "[Mem] Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." My own history of walking away from God haunts me, too, but it's the very thing that drives me closer to Him now, keeping me in the race, which, I think, is the point of this article.

Christ's be with you.

This is the central core of what the Christian experience is all about.
A core the often gets covered up with layers of religion.

Phil. 2:13 - for GOD it is who is working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

But apparently, according to this article, it is OUR strength that will determine if God succeeds. Like so many other "Christians" this author would probably say that it is GOD'S power that is working in all of us, but he then suggests in this article that success depends on OUR strength, not God's.

It reminds me of the oft repeated "Christian" declaration that "there is nothing you can do to save yourself," followed by a long list of all the THINGS YOU MUST DO TO SAVE YOURSELF. Here the author simply falls right in line with that contradiction by listing all the things that we must do to "ensure that finish line victory" - as if it is up to US to ensure GOD'S success.

This article at first seems quite sincere in extolling us to live a life of strong faith, but what it is really implying is that Christ's ability to save the world is dependent on us.

I think I'll put my faith in Him.

Thanks for the reminder ... I think that is the worst thing that can happen to us Christians. Giving up mid-way through the race or not being able to see the finish line. I too fear the same thing and I know this is very real and can happen to anyone of us.

All the more we need to be always in tune with God and our lives in sync with His will and plan.

Looking and answering the questions .. what caught my attention was about being sensitive to the spirit. Personally, this is what I struggle with at times ... and I pray for God's strength to resist temptation and to listen more and obey the promptings of the spirit.

Having a spirit-filled and spirit-led life is what we need to be successful in this race.

Again, thanks for the reminder!

Eric