Running the race

[Wootah]

Hi all,

The Bible talks a lot about running the race.

Here is a smattering of verses: https://reformedwiki.com/verses/run-the-race

As a Christian I really am starting to get this teaching and so I wanted to see what others are doing.

Do you think you are running a race? What race? Why do you persevere? Will it matter ultimately?

[Tcg]

[Replying to Wootah in post #1]

It is interesting that your source includes this verse:

Matthew 7:13-14

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

I'm not sure how this relates to running. Whatever it is, it can't possibly refer to any race Christians are on. Numbering about 2.4 billion members, religion wise, Christianity is absolutely the widest gate there is, and billions have found it. At perhaps as few as .6 million, perhaps it applies to the race Rastafari are on.


Tcg

[The Nice Centurion]

[Replying to Tcg in post #2]
1) Running presumably implies a goal, and zhat could as well be a narrow gate. - Thats how I understand it.

2) But most christians belong to a denomination, and most denominations want to see all others in hell.
Perhaps the Strangites are right. Narrow enough they are only 300 and already split up in two groups and are the only ones who follow "The Book of the Law of the Lord".
https://www.ldsstrangite.com/book-of-th ... -lord.html

[Tcg]

[Replying to Tcg in post #2]
1) Running presumably implies a goal, and zhat could as well be a narrow gate. - Thats how I understand it.

2) But most christians belong to a denomination, and most denominations want to see all others in hell.
Perhaps the Strangites are right. Narrow enough they are only 300 and already split up in two groups and are the only ones who follow "The Book of the Law of the Lord".
https://www.ldsstrangite.com/book-of-th ... -lord.html

Whether or not most Christians belong to a denomination does not change the fact that Christianity is the most popular religion in the world and thus logically can't be the narrow gate. If we are going to hunt for the least populace Christian denomination, we'd have to consider the Shakers who last I checked were down to one or two members. But that is irrelevant to the fact that Christianity is the most popular religion in the world. Even those one or two are Christians assuming they're still alive.


Tcg

[The Nice Centurion]

[Replying to Tcg in post #4]
Many christian denominations do not see other denominations as christians.

The only logical reasoning rherefore I draw from your seach for the narrow gate would be that it is a rather small denomintion that is right.
Or perhaps its already closed 'cause that only right denomination got vanquished.
The Donatists perhaps? St.Augustine had a whole church of them, for not accepting catholic baptizing, burned down alive.

[Tcg]

[Replying to Tcg in post #4]
Many christian denominations do not see other denominations as christians.

That doesn't change the fact that they are indeed Christians.

The only logical reasoning rherefore I draw from your seach for the narrow gate would be that it is a rather small denomintion that is right.
Or perhaps its already closed 'cause that only right denomination got vanquished.
The Donatists perhaps? St.Augustine had a whole church of them, for not accepting catholic baptizing, burned down alive.

No. First off, I am not searching for the narrow gate. Further, as I've already explained, a Christian denomination is indeed a part of the most popular religion in the world and therefore can't, at least not logically, be the narrow gate.


Tcg

[The Nice Centurion]

[Replying to Tcg in post #6]
But for all we know, Christ was a baptized (Catholic or Jehovahs Witness or rather mormon?) christian and therefore he could only have meant some christian brand.

[Wootah]

[Replying to Tcg in post #2]

Yeah I didn't think that applied to the concept.

[Diagoras]

Reading that ‘smattering’, the various authors seem to suggest prizing endurance, self-control, steadfastness and playing by the rules.

I can get behind these sentiments easily enough.

They also place some emphasis on living in faith and striving for the ‘prize’ of being called to Christ - alluding to attaining eternal life.

I’m not running that race. I’m very comfortable with the idea that once I die, that’s it - nothing else. And that out of the billions of people who have ever lived, my life will be almost wholly irrelevant in human history once I’m dead.

I strive to be happy: gained by staying healthy, involved, and by using my own talents and motivation to make choices freely. That includes choosing to work for material gain, and believing that Pascal’s Wager isn’t worth taking.

[Wootah]

Reading that ‘smattering’, the various authors seem to suggest prizing endurance, self-control, steadfastness and playing by the rules.

I can get behind these sentiments easily enough.

They also place some emphasis on living in faith and striving for the ‘prize’ of being called to Christ - alluding to attaining eternal life.

I’m not running that race. I’m very comfortable with the idea that once I die, that’s it - nothing else. And that out of the billions of people who have ever lived, my life will be almost wholly irrelevant in human history once I’m dead.

I strive to be happy: gained by staying healthy, involved, and by using my own talents and motivation to make choices freely. That includes choosing to work for material gain, and believing that Pascal’s Wager isn’t worth taking.

Yes but while you have health or can get involved or family or money then it is easy to keep going. But is that the same as running the race?