28th Mar 26 | 12:21
Daily Study
Run the race well
Acts 15 – Series 1/Episode 66 – Sat, 28th Mar 2026 – Run the race well - Acts 15:01-21 – THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL – Hebrews 12:01-02
Acts 15:19-21 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God*, (20) but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. (21) For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"
…we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God…
Paul was concerned that the church, which had been running the Christian life well, was now being troubled by those who insisted on keeping the law of Moses. _Galatians 5:7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
What is it to run the Christian race well?
The Christian life is run by keeping our eyes on Jesus alone. Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This race, in Christ, requires that we set aside every weight and sin that so easily ensnares us. I John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. (17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
We keep our eyes on Jesus, from whom we learn the lesson of faith. John 8:29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him. / Luke 4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Jesus endured the cross, and so it is for us. I Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: / Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Jesus did not allow the shame of the cross to affect His purpose. This is how we, too, need to live. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Jesus has been raised to the highest place of dominion and power, which is what we must receive. Ephesians 1:20-23 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (21) far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (22) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. This high position of Jesus has been bestowed on the church. Ephesians 2:5-7 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
As we incorporate these truths into our lives, we will run our race well.
Running the race well is to remain firm on the Gospel. I Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, It is to reject any other Gospel. Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (9) As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Running the Christian race well requires being discipled in our bodies. I Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. (25) And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (26) Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. (27) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.