By Pastor Dave
I would like to continue with the thought Cindy shared last week. First a story. I was involved in several sports in High School, one of which was cross country running. I was not great at it but I was good enough to make varsity. Of the five runners, I was number 4. During my senior year we qualified for the state meet. There were hundreds of runners there. I did not feel particularly good that day. I did not feel bad, just not good. The gun went off and off we went. I set a good pace and was is the top third of the runners. I was passing a few and about half way through the course, I gave in to the “runners wall”. Instead of running through it, I slowed down to a walk. Now, kids I had passed were passing me. I tried to run again but it was very difficult. I ended the race in the last third of the runners. It was my worst finish all year. I got no medal, no ribbon. I did not endure to the end. I missed it.
Many people think because they once said a prayer or signed a card or raised their hand, that is all there is to salvation. That is not the case. True salvation will produce a change in your life and it will be shown by how you live. See Matthew 10:22 (NASB) You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. Do you see it? He who endures to the end, will be saved. We need to run this race of salvation to the end. It is not a one and done. It is a daily race. Do not stop half way through. Continue in the race to the very end.
See Luke 21:19 (NASB) By your endurance you will gain your lives. We are to daily pick up our cross and follow Him. Faith without works is dead. I encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit to examine your spiritual race and see if you are running to the end or if you have stopped running and are in danger of missing the prize – eternal life.