The Runner

To enter the narrow way through the gate and not follow Jesus is just as deficient as seeming to follow after him on the way, yet not having come through the gate. The call is to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Jesus. We do not enter the gate and stare at the path, nor do we try to climb over the wall and onto the path apart from the gate. The Christian life is distinctly marked by both e…ntering and walking; by faith, repentance, and following. The consistent and malicious absence of these markers from a person’s life does not denote a deficiency in Jesus or the gospel. Rather, in shows a deficiency in the person’s following of Jesus and their understanding of the gospel, possibly to their own spiritual demise. Many call Him “Lord” and are not known by Him. A runner can lose a race by disqualification for one of three reasons: if he does not properly enter the contest, if he does not run according to the rules, or if he does not finish the course. Many walk upon the broad path to destruction, supposing it to be quite narrow. Let us make our calling and election sure, being certain that we are in the race, that we are running the race, and that we finish the course.