God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:2-6
Are you in that number? Are you part of that remnant? How do you know? Do you experience His grace? What does that feel like? Does the Holy Spirit ever ask you to repent? Do you go before Him with humility and sorrow for the disobedience to His instructions to you? What are the signs that someone is in that remnant? We know that they don’t ‘bend their knee’ to any other authority but Him. We know that they experience His grace in their lives. We know that they hear His Voice … regularly, as He is their Shepherd leading them to ‘green pastures’. We know they know Him intimately — as their hearts are given to Him, and they seek Him daily. We know they ‘die daily’ as they are terminally committed to Christ as Paul was.
Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 1 Corinthians 15:30-32
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 12:1-3
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24
What is the prize in my mind? To hear these words spoken by Jesus to me.
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21
Like in a marathon race (26.2 miles) there is a point in which the regular person will often ‘hit the wall’ somewhere around the 20 mile mark. From that point on the person has to enact their will to make it to the finish line. For many things in the body begin to stop working correctly at that time of ‘hitting the wall’ and by sheer determination the finish line becomes the ultimate goal. Other runners don’t matter, and the pain is shoved under, and the will of the person is focused only on the goal of the …finish line.
I am reminded of the chorus in this song…
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
So be it… Lord Jesus!
What is your goal? Is it to know Jesus at greater and greater depths of relationship? Is He your source of strength? Do you find joy in knowing Him? Is He your true source of hope? Are you constantly being brought back to that mindful relationship with the Holy Spirit in your thought life? Does the Holy Spirit run the scriptures constantly through you mind, weaving them together like a beautiful message that enlightens and inspires your soul and mind?
Run beloved, … run …like your life depends on it. Focus on Him knowing that by the trial of your faith it takes your complete will (determination and focus to choose Him above all else).
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
What other scriptures is the Holy Spirit bringing to you mind right now?
Spend a moment thanking Him …for His love for you.