The Christian Life Is a Marathon. You prepare differently for a short race than you do for a longer race. The 50-yard sprint is different from a mile run, so you prepare differently. I have a spiritual son in Omaha named Lincoln Murdoch who runs marathons. He is living for God even harder than he lives for races. He says pain is always part of the race, but he runs to win. https://www.lincolnmurdoch.com/ Three-Time National Champion in Triathlon / Duathlon. Endurance Sports Specialist. https://www.stepuptolife.com/. Step Up to Life. “We help you feel confident sharing the Gospel.” He is ordained to be a winner for God, not just for this world but also for the next and he's working it out that way. Philippians 3 offers profound insight into the Christian walk as a long-distance run, with purpose in every step. Paul writes in Philippians 3:10 (KJV), “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” 1. The Power of His Resurrection. This isn’t just about Jesus rising from the dead, but about His resurrection becoming your reality. It transforms your life from mere religion to a living relationship with Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature… all things are become new.” True transformation means living like Christ, not returning to old sinful ways and claim God blesses it. 2. The Fellowship of His Sufferings. Jesus suffered immensely, from the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha. Yet Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) teaches, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening… but afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living.” Fellowship with Christ’s sufferings means dying to the flesh, refusing worldly desires, and letting the Spirit lead daily. Galatians 2:20 says, “I am crucified with Christ… Christ liveth in me.” 3/ Being Made Conformable to His Death. This speaks to fully surrendering yourself so Jesus can live through you. John the Baptist understood, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Living for God means pursuing His will over your own and preparing for the long race of faith, just as a marathon runner trains with endurance. Paul speaks further in Philippians 3:12, “Not as though I had already attained… but I follow after.” God personally chose you, sent someone with the Gospel, and by His Spirit presses you into godly living. Your old self is dead; the race you now run is one of discipline, endurance, and eternal purpose.
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