“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-5
In light of Paul’s words in Ephesians where he speaks on the matter of “oneness,” he reduces the field of our vision to that which is singular in the eyes of God. However, it is not a narrow vision, for the things that are “one” are vast in their worth, power, and meaning. So that, when he speaks of one body, one Spirit, one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, he speaks of that which is not only eternal, but that which is real and true today, on this earth, and in our hearts. This concept of oneness, which focuses our attention of these singular subjects, giving to each an individual emphasis and significance, is made real to us by the Spirit of God. The same can be true of another singular subject. It is that of a race, but a race that is qualified by its origin and nature, in God. There are many “races” in this world, for man’s ideas are many with regard to objectives, and the means for running them. But for the believer in Christ, that one who has been put into Jesus Christ by the sovereign will and purpose of God, there is but one. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews, written for Jews and Gentiles alike, speaks of this race. He bases and applies truths concerning this race on the testimonies of so many who have gone before us, run their races, and finished well. His thoughts and illustrations are meant to, not only give counsel as to how to run this race and win, but to exhort the believer today, continuing until that blessed meeting with Christ, whether in death or in the air. What are the lessons of Christ’s teaching concerning this race in which we are engaged and, are we running in a right manner?
Through His teaching and life, the Lord Jesus showed us taht the race is one that can be won by the principle and practice of faith in God. It is not a race of the flesh, of the old nature, or of the “old man.” It is a spiritual endeavor and commitment that will have rewards in this life, but certainly much more in that which is to come. Specifically, then, what is this race, which resembles also the “fight of faith?” Throughout the ministry of Jesus, He spoke of a conclusion of life on this earth, but also of Life eternal. That Life was the knowledge of God, “…to know Him.” (John 17:3) Paul would emphasize this in his letter to the Philippians by writing: “…I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil. 3:8) He went on to write that his great objective was, “…to know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” (v.10) The race to which every believer is called is that pursuit of God, to know Him as one’s Life, one’s all in all. Christ is the objective, His glory, power, and blessing. His revealed will is the direction that the believer must embrace. His Spirit is the power to run this race. Faith, manifested in love, is the great principle by which one must live, if the race is to be run, being well-pleasing to God.
The race begins at the point of one’s conversion, but then is a daily endeavor. As the cross is a daily principle by which the believer lives, and the mercies of God are new every morning, the believer is called upon to appropriate daily the cleansing from sin by the blood of Christ, walking with, and being led by the Spirit. In laying aside every burden, and all besetting sin, he looks unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of his faith.
Dear Father, Fill our vision with Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.