"Run the Race to the Finish"

 WHAT IS THE RACE?

Paul sometimes used features from the games held in ancient Greecy to teach important lessons. (1 Corinthians 9:25-27; 2 Timothy 2:5)   On a number of occasions, he used runnning as in a footrace to illustrate the Christian course of life.  (1 Corinthians 9:24; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16 ) A person enters this "race"  when he dedicates himself to Jehovah gets baptized.  (1 Peter 3:21) He crosses the finish line when Jehovah grants him the prize of everlasting life. -  MATTHEW 25:31-34, 46; 2 TIMOTHY 4:8. 

What are some of the similarities between running  a long-distance footracea and living a Christian life?  There are a nmber of parallels. Let us consider three of them.  First, we need to follow the right course; second, we must focus on the finish line; and third, we have to overcome challenges along the way. 

Next time: "Run the Race to the Finish" - FOLLOW THE RIGHT COURSE

From the jw.org publications