Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Peter believed the end of all things was at hand so he is withholding nothing. His words are like the father who is calling out to his child on their last lap of the big race. He is pulling no punches in regard to what he understands about being holy. I’m going to relay some of the things this great spiritual father is calling out to us as we run.
God himself signed us up for this race when he caused us to be born again. He did this so we would gain what awaits us at the finish line – an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for us. He is saying he knows many of the previous laps were grueling but that by enduring those laps, we qualify ourselves for praise, glory and honor. Ultimately Peter tells us we will meet Him who signed us up and strengthened us in our running and as a little bonus… we obtain the salvation of our souls.
“Focus children!” The father yells out to us, “Stay focused! You can do this because I did it. My sweat and my blood equip you to run. You watched me do this. Just follow my example. You are born of my Seed which is imperishable. My Life – My Word – Jesus, is the living and enduring word of God within you! You and He will endure to the finish line, and far beyond.”
When I was 15 I thought I was a pretty good broad jumper and I thought I was pretty fast, that is until the track meet. I recall jumping against Renaldo Martino, a boy my age from another junior high school. It was as though he was a frog and I was a flea. He was also at the starting line of the 220 yard dash. After the gun went off, we were neck and neck, for about 5 feet. The frog had turned into a rabbit and I, apparently, a tortoise. When we rounded the curve, Renaldo and the pack left me behind. Something in me just died. Mid race, I knew I was an inferior athlete. I just walked off the track, leaving it to the beings it was designed for.
Quitting was a mistake, one I regret. There were some people watching who were not just interested in the power in my legs. Those who mattered were prepared to applaud what was in that boy’s heart. Had that boy just finished the race, he would have made a few fans very happy. Quitting is a terrible thing to do to yourself and to those who love you.
Don’t we feel a bit like giving up though when we, the fallen offspring of Adam, are commanded to be holy as God is holy? Isn’t that like setting the high jump bar at 20 feet? When I feel the gravity of my flesh, I am tempted to think the bar has been set unfairly – for a different breed of athlete than I. But I haven’t quit. In my discouragement I have probably slowed down to a walk a few times, but I am still on the track. And, I hear a crowd of voices cheering me on, One in particular, who has heard my cry. He is saying,
You are going to cross the finish line Rob! You are going to cross it in your stride! Don’t compare yourselves to others. Run your race. You can be holy because I am holy. Holiness is not achieved through abstinence or prohibitions. Holiness is My life and I gave it to you freely! Live and run, out of My Life in you. I’m with you now and I’ll certainly be there at the finish line.
I have found something to be true about human beings. We are typically capable of much more than we think we are capable of. In Christ, our inner reserves of strength are far more than we know. When the tests or the trials come, we must not look at others and compare. We must simply say, “Thank You Lord, for this lap. Do not let me run it without understanding Your heart.” With this attitude we waste none of our training, and we come to know the Coach.
Read 1 Peter. The apostle truly believes everyone’s race is about to end. He is admonishing them, “Brace yourself. You are going to suffer. But you will not be disappointed!” Listen to Hebrews 1:1-3. Different coach, same exhortation;
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Father, teach us to run our race out of Your life in us. Help us to maintain our stride, in Christ. Train us to keep our eyes on You, our Life, our example and our finish line. Let this be so.