6 Guidelines for Running the Christian Life Well

Do you ever grow tired of living the Christian life? Does it seem hard and challenging at times? Yet at the same time, perhaps there is a deep desire within you to run the race of the Christian life well. You want to please the Lord and bring honour to His name, but you find that your tank is often running on empty.

Hebrews 12:1-3 gives us six ways that we can run the race of the Christian life well. Each way keeps us running while also equipping us to maintain our pace. In this blog, we will look at the first three ways.

1. Remember the Faithful Ones

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,"

The great cloud of witnesses likely refers to the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. Enoch walked with God. Noah obeyed God even when it didn’t make sense to do so. Abraham left his home and later was willing to sacrifice his son because he trusted God. Moses abandoned a life of wealth and prestige to follow God.

Yet, the faithful ones mentioned in Hebrews 11 are not the only people of faith that we can look to as examples. I can think of a number of people who have impacted me because of their faith in God. They, too, are part of the cloud of witnesses. Their example inspires, guides, and challenges me to be faithful.

2. Throw Off Hindrances

"...let us throw off everything that hinders..."

Have you ever had to run through an airport because you’re late for your flight? I’ve had that happen a few times. And when it happens, I am never ready for a mad dash to my plane. I’m not dressed to run. I usually have a small backpack and a carry-on suitcase. Needless to say, I don’t run very fast with these extra items.

The writer of Hebrews is telling us to throw off the things that hinder us from running the race of the Christian life well. These can be good things like work, leisure activities, relationships, and even ministry. Yet, anything that becomes more important than God in our lives or distracts us from God is an idol. It is hindering us from running our race well.

What is hindering us or could hinder us from fully living out the Christian life? As someone has said, “The good is often the enemy of the best.” Let’s hold onto God’s best for our lives.

3. Get Rid of Sin

"...and the sin that so easily entangles."

Have you ever run in a three-legged race? It’s when two people stand beside each other with the legs in the middle tied together. Then, they have to run to the finish line. It’s very challenging and teams invariably end up in a heap. That’s what sin does to us. It entangles us and trips us up.

Obviously, we can sin by doing something we shouldn’t do. However, we can also sin when we do not do something that we ought to. Getting rid of sin involves repentance – a 180 degree turn away from sin toward righteousness. We need God’s help. Scripture shows us the direction we need to go. The Holy Spirit helps us get there. We also need one another in the church to provide support, prayer, and admonishment.

4. Run With Perseverance

"And let us run with perseverance..."

I'm a sprinter. When I was younger, I was fast; but I was a terrible long distance runner. The Christian life is not a sprint; it's a marathon. We’re called to run in a disciplined and steady way that allows us to persevere to the end. The goal is not to get there as quickly as possible or by any means necessary. The goal is to stay the course and to savor the journey as you travel. 

5. Live Out God’s Call

"...the race marked out for us," 

In a sense, all of us as Christians are called to run the same race – to know and follow Jesus every day. Yet, I suspect the author of Hebrews may have been reminding us that God has a special calling for each one of us. Ephesians 2:10 suggests that God has specific plans for each of us. These specific plans mark out the unique race that He has for us.

6. Fix Our Eyes on Jesus

"...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he 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 sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Jesus is the pioneer or author of our faith. Those who receive him become children of God (John 1:12).

He is also the perfecter of our faith. In Philippians 1:6, we see Paul’s confidence in Jesus' perfecting work. "... He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

As we remember Jesus and the race He ran for us, we are encouraged in our own race for Him. Jesus’ example of suffering spurs us on to run well even when running is hard.

May we be like the Apostle Paul who could say in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

When I was an undergraduate student at Trinity Western University, a missionary by the name of Helen Roseveare spoke at one of our chapels. Roseveare had served for many years as a medical doctor in the Congo. For 11 years, she had been writing a book about God’s work in that country.

One day, rebels entered the missionary compound where Roseveare lived. They treated her very badly and tied her to a pole outside her home. They brought out her hand-written manuscript and burnt it in front of her eyes.

As Roseveare watched the destruction, she asked the question, "Is it worth it?" After thinking about it for a while, she concluded, "No, it's not worth it. Nothing is worth the pain and loss I have been forced to endure."

Roseveare felt guilty about coming up with this answer. However, she soon realized that she was asking the wrong question. The question was not, “Is it worth it,” but, “Is He worthy?”

To that question, Roseveare could wholeheartedly respond, "Yes, Jesus is worthy. He is worthy of anything that I might endure for Him." 

As we run the race of the Christian life, we will encounter many challenges and opportunities. Let's keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. For He is worthy!

Randy Wollf is the Director of MinistryLift and Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Leadership Studies at MB Seminary.