When a runner begins a race, he or she has something on their mind. If possible, it’s victory in the race. Perhaps they’ve won a race before. Perhaps they’ve only seen victory in their mind’s eye before. But they start with the finish in mind.
Presuming that you did, reader, why did you begin with Christ? Why did you come to him? Perhaps it’s not possible to say there’s only one reason anyone should, but I will say that there’s only one ultimate reason for which anyone should come and that’s for righteousness.
Many factors have led to the way of thinking we see in my culture today. All cultures are the products of what’s gone before them. We’re no different. In my estimation Darwinism is the most influential philosophy of the day. It affects every part of a person negatively to assume without reason that they’re just the product of fictitious evolutionary processes. How can evolved protists be ethically deficient? How can evolved protists need a Savior? How can evolved protists ever find more in life than their hormones permit? In this last one, the most potent anti-Christianity is fostered. Hedonists have no need of any god that isn’t feeding them grapes. And that’s my people. Wealthy, at ease, zombies chasing things that cannot fulfil. And these days, even if we don’t have it all we can still create the fantasy of having it all and that’s enough to waste lives. It’s Satanism. Not actual Satanism, of course, but the faddish humanism of modern I-phoned toting pagans parroting their leaders who reject the truth about Satan for a philosophy of self they associate with an inane idol of the beast. The natural hedonism of our day of success, career, invention, and pride, keep us asleep in our sin and far from Christ’s Cross. And the moment one begins to consider it, the evil one comes and snatches any seed (Matthew 13:19) via the next TikTok video.
Most don’t approach the starting line, therefore. I’m glad I have, and I hope you can be glad you have too. To the uninitiated, this life is all there is. They deny God’s truth. They do not, cannot, and furthermore refuse to see the finish line…despite what all the prophets have said. Jesus’ teaching demands one reject such an idea. The Resurrection shouts, “The life to come.” Paul wrote: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” 1 Corinthians 9:24. Here’s the end for you and me: we will stand before God (and likely also before many witnesses). We will give an account of this life. A good standing on that day can only be found- 1) on the justification Jesus gives, and 2) in a life lived in obedience. Do you have this in mind today? This is the finish line of the day. Did you come to the Cross because it is that way God would offer you his mercy? If so, then that Day of Judgment to come will go well for you. John 5:24. If it’s your end, then run your race well. Repent daily, remember the Resurrection daily, sow seeds for the kingdom wherever you can in the concentric circles in which God has you. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9.
God bless!
