Which would you rather? Sprinter or marathon runner?
 
Sprinters were more popular in school! Students didn’t want to see the whole marathon, so a quick sprint was more popular!
 
The Christian life is, however, a marathon, not a sprint.
 
Hebrews tells us how to run the race. Hebrews 12:1-2
 
Why are we exhorted to run the race?

1. We have a great cloud of witnesses--men and women of faith who appear in previous chapter 11. They ran the race to receive the promises. Some seemed to not be triumphant--some suffered, died and appeared unvindicated.
2. While previous believers have run their race and shown us an example--we are not done yet!
 
We must lay aside every encumbrance and every sin. You never see a runner with dumbbells in his hand or a long, thick robe!
 
The author gives us Jesus as the best example of how to run. Though on earth, men did not recognize him, he was vindicated before God.
 
Paul looked to Jesus as in 1 Tim 6:13 Paul, tried before men like Niro, kept the faith by looking to Christ.
 
We are expected to be long-distance runners in faith. Look to Jesus and run!