Jun 14, 2015
For those of us who do not care for running it probably seems
fitting that the Greek term for a foot race is agon from which we
derive the term agony. We have a number of marathoners in our
church family and they know all about the agony of the race. They
are a different breed of human being; much to be admired.
In Hebrews 12 the Preacher likens the life of faith to running a
race which I'm sure our marathoners would agree is an apt
comparison. Both take discipline, both require endurance of pain
and fatigue, both have experiences of intense joy and satisfaction
and both are run in hope of reaching the finish line.
Some of those to whom the Preacher wrote were tempted to drop out
of the race and return to Judaism. The Preacher's purpose was to
strengthen and encourage these Hebrew Christians to continue to run
the race with endurance because those who endure inherit the
promises of God.