In a way the Christian life is a stand; in another it is a walk, and in still another a race.
In 1 Cor. 15:1 The Apostle Paul writes of “the Gospel... wherein ye stand,” and in Romans 5:22By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2) of “this grace wherein we stand,” while in Gal. 5:11Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1) he bids us: “stand fast... in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” And note how many times we read about “Stand” in Ephesians 6. Perhaps all this is well summed up in his appeal to his beloved Philippians: “Therefore, my beloved brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown... stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” (Phil. 4:11Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Philippians 4:1)).
But the Christian life is more than a stand — it is a walk (which in Scripture refers to conduct). Once, says Paul, “we walked in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1, 21And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:1‑2)) but having been saved by grace, through faith in Christ, we are now to “walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:44Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)). In his epistles the apostle also bids us to “Walk worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:1010That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10)), to “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:15-1715See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15‑17).)
But the Christian life is even more than a walk; it is a race. Sad to say, some Christians whose “walk” is consistent and commendable, never have come to look on the Christian life as a race. They never put enough into it so that it might be said of them that they are running. Yet the same great apostle wrote, by divine inspiration, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:11Wherefore 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, (Hebrews 12:1)).
The word “patience” in this passage points out the fact that the Christian race is not a short “hundred yard dash.” Nevertheless we, believers in Christ, should put into it all that we have. “They which run in a race,” says the apostle, “run all,” but they do not all receive the prize. Hence the admonition: “So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Cor. 9.24).
Those who have not trusted Christ as Saviour, have not even begun to stand, or walk, much less to run a race for Him. These might as well forget rewards until they first accept “the gift of God... eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6.23).
(From “The Alliston Herald”, Alliston, Ontario)