“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
1 Corinthians 9:25
Life is like a race, but which race are you running? The gospel of Jesus Christ shows us how to run the race that truly matters. As you prepare for this eternal race, consider these four essential questions about your journey.
God created the course of life and established the rules of the race:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:1, 27).
Being made in God’s image means we were designed to run alongside Him and finish the race in His presence. This is our ultimate destination and greatest joy.
God set the perfect path for us, but humanity chose to run its own direction—a choice the Bible calls sin.
Sin takes us off course and leads to disqualification, both in this life and eternally:
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Instead of finishing the race victoriously, we find ourselves exhausted, lost, and facing the Judge’s disqualification.
Despite our wrong turns, God’s love for us led Him to provide a new path through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible explains:
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Jesus ran the perfect race and then took our disqualification upon Himself. God confirmed this sacrifice by raising Jesus from the dead:
“Christ died for our sins… He was buried… He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures… he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).
Through Jesus’ perfect race, death, and resurrection, God offers to put us back on the right path toward the eternal prize – this is the good news!
One of the well-known verses in the Bible summarizes how to enter the race that matters:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
To believe in Jesus means to trust him as your coach and guide, turning away from your own path (this is called repentance). When you believe in Jesus, you’re registered for the race that leads to eternal life.
Do you believe that you’ve veered off course and deserve disqualification? That Jesus Christ is the Son of God who took your place and endured your penalty? That Jesus rose from the dead and lives as your perfect guide? If you believe that with all your heart, you can tell him in words like these:
Jesus, I can’t finish this race on my own. I repent of going my own way and trust you to guide me to eternal life. Thank you for running the perfect race and taking my disqualification so I can receive the eternal prize!
If you prayed this prayer and meant it, welcome to God’s team of runners!
Just as athletes train daily, your relationship with God will grow as you spend time in spiritual training.
Join us on a Sunday at 14:00 as we train together for the eternal prize!
Contact us to find your running partners in the faith.
Pentecost International (Pingstkyrkan, Lund)
Stora Södergatan 25, 222 23 Lund
Tel: +46 76 277 3140
www.pentecostinternational.se