What Is The Race?

The Bible talks about the race in Hebrews 12:1 which states:

 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us". (Emphasis added)

Isn't it interesting in this scripture that the writer of Hebrews was inspired to state, "the race". It could have been written as "a race", "races", "the races" or even some other word such as "event". However God inspired the writer of Hebrews to say "the race." We think this is important to grasp with respect to the life we have been given. The Greek word for race in this verse is agōn (pronounced ag-one') which means "a place of assembly (as if led), that is, (by implication) a contest; figuratively an effort or anxiety, conflict, contention, fight, race" (Strong's Bible Dictionary, 1890).

This race described in Hebrews therefore is going to be a continuous effort and fight filled with anxiety, conflict and contention! Sounds like "life" doesn't it. This life that God has given us is "the race." Life has it's ups and downs and requires effort to make something of it. You can't even be born into this world without making some form of an effort and causing some form of anxiety for someone. So we are told to "run with patience the race that is set before us." Why though? Two primary reasons.

First, we must "run with patience" because there will be trials and tribulations in this life. Jesus said in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Ever since sin entered this world through Adam and Eve, there has been trouble. They hadn't even been thrown out of the garden yet when God said to Eve, "...I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children, and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" and to Adam, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground..." (Genesis 3:16, 19). So because of Adam and Eve's transgression against one rule, we get to inherit a life filled with anxiety, conflict, and contention. Because this is true, we will most definitely require patience through Jesus Christ to bare the burdens.

The Bible actually talks a lot about patience, however here are some verses that explain why patience is necessary and important to run our race with:

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: -Romans 5:3-4

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. -Hebrews 10:36

Know this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. -James 1:3-4

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; -II Peter 1:6

 In your patience possess ye your souls. -Luke 21:19

We require patience (at a minimum) so that we can have hope, receive the promise, want nothing, godliness, and our soul in the Kingdom of God.

Second, the life we have on this earth goes by fast and is temporary. James 4:14 says, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." This scripture plainly tells us that we don't know what is going to happen from one day to the next and remember what your life really is: a vapour. Here today, gone tomorrow essentially! We need to be expedient to obtain our salvation through Jesus Christ and then run the race that He has for us. The Apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 9:24, "Know ye not that they which run the race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." The only way to obtain the "prize" is by repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus Christ! There are so many people who are going through life without salvation and without even considering serving Jesus Christ. However this is THE MOST IMPORTANT decision in this life.

Therefore, we don't have time to stay in the sin business. That is why the writer in Hebrew 12:1 also stated, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us...". Sin is easy, fun, and pleasurable, but only for a season (Hebrews 11:25). We must lay aside the sin and run the race with patience because in our patience we possess our souls. We must not only lay aside the sin, we must lay aside the weights as well. This is anything in our life that holds us back from serving the LORD 100%.

So what is the race? The race is this one life we are given by God to glorify Him. We have one opportunity to run the race. If we want to claim the prize (everlasting life), we must be willing to run toward and for Jesus Christ. He is the author and finisher of our faith! (Hebrews 12:2)