“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?”        I Corinthians 9:24. Such is life.

God is not here discouraging us by saying only a single soul will make it into heaven at last. Rather, we are warned to watch how we run. “Run in such a way as to get the prize,” the verse concludes.

Many of us have years of bottled-up advice we would like to share with graduates of our schools. Perhaps everything could be summed up in three words: Live Like Christ.

Our text Hebrews 12 tells how to do this.

Verse 1 is filled with practical help. Encumbrance, entanglements, endurance are three key words used in the NAS translation. Anything that hampers your spiritual life is apt to destroy your race. Deal with sins or they will trip you up and fallen runners lose races. Endurance, grit is what is needed.

Living like Christ is indeed a large order but one is stirred to do just that by the reminders given in this chapter of Scriptural coaching. Bring these teachings often to mind and you will be a winner with God.

I.  REMEMBER THE HOST OF PAST FAITHFULS

Hebrews 12, verse one looks back upon chapter 11. Everything is cast in the frame of an exciting athletic contest. The stakes are high — life or death. The long file of faithfuls have one at a time lined up on the starting blocks, and persevered through their many trials, passed over life’s finish line and at last taken their place in the seats of the vast colosseum. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses and others are there. They refuse all unlawful shortcuts, scorn the easy way, and face sword, fire and death for Christ.

Suddenly, it is your turn.

You are called to the line. The race is on. Now, right at the point in life where many of you are, there in the strong temptation to feel very special and unique. Like the young college freshman who gets new insights into philosophy and psychology and feels, because they are new to him, older ones in the adult world — apart from his professor — have never thought these thoughts before. Then after a strong dose of profane literature and assorted attacks on Biblical literature, he is finished off with a slanted sociology which makes him prone to break connection with all past religious heritage. How sad! What a trap!

But God is here saying, “Remember. my child, you are literally surrounded by My great heroes. They endured indescribable tortures rather than give up like you are about to do. Endure! Hold on!

These tests aren’t new. They are all there in the Bible — described for your fortification and comfort.  Romans 15:4.

II. REMEMBER CHRIST’S EXAMPLE

Now, see the Captain! Jesus is here introduced as the One Who revolutionizes the “game” of living. He has all the honors from A to Z. How wonderful that the Scripture can give us instant replay!

Reading verse 2, brings the great Champion before our eyes. Follow His every motion. Catch His very spirit. This is how it is done.

Come, get down to the track. Look over the awesome obstacle course our Lord is to run. At every turn it involves suffering, shame, pain….and there, just before the finish line, a rough cross. You would cringe and shrink back in horror if you saw the half.

But look there at Jesus the Champion, He strains eagerly on the blocks at the ready. Amazing joy is over His face. Here then is a most important reminder: Keep looking at Jesus “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (NIV)

I solemnly urge you to read John 12:26 with 42 and 43, then decide what kind of honor you want from life. Hear Jesus: “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me..”

III. REMEMBER THE FATHER’S DISCIPLINE

What one man calls a curse in life another sees as blessing. It all hinges on whether or not “you have forgotten the exhortation” of God. He now reminds us (Hebrews 12:5-11) to look beyond the test to the One who brings it for our good.

We are neither to disregard, nor to faint (verse 5) under the rebukes of God. He deals only in love “for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness,” verse 10.

Therefore, catch your “second wind,” take new heart and press on, verses 12, 13.

IV.  REMEMBER ESAU’S TRAGIC EXAMPLE

Here a very solemn remembrance is placed before us. We are first told that personal holiness is absolutely required by God. Without it “no one will see the Lord,” verse 14.

Next, we meet again the playboy of the Old Testament. Esau lived for fun. He fed appetites first. Humanly, he was every inch man, but as a spiritual baby he toddled about life’s race track until he fell to ruin.

Verse 16 describes him as immoral and godless, though I imagine many a spectator of his day would have expected great things from him. He was a favorite son. But he did not run right.

As the scene closes, Esau is “…rejected.  Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.” Sad indeed! But we may not toy with God. Either quit all or go all out.

Now, friend, there is a race — your course in life placed before you by God. How will you run? Review these reminders and move ahead, looking up to Jesus Christ our Lord.