The Earthly and Heavenly Race

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Just as a number of people are usually involved in every race after which a winner is decided as a result of an outstanding performance, so also every man on earth today competes against one another to attain a rest which is not certain.



I Corinthians 9:24-25, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible”.


As far as you are already here on earth, the reality of being in the race can not be overemphasized.

No one dare to remain stagnant in life. It is the desire and heart cry of everyone to move from one stage in life to the other.

To attain a political office, to excel as a business man, to be gainfully employed, to be a successful student, even to be a lovely housewife that maintain her home; there is a serious competition out there and only those that understand the rule of the game win.

As a poor man, it is obvious you want to become rich. Even as a rich man, you still desire to be more successful in so many other areas of your life.

There is always a mountain to climb, a river to cross and several distances to cover in the quest to obtain a crown which is, but for a while.

The reality of this earthly race is proved however when in a family of six children, one is counted to be richer than every other person in the family regardless of age. This fellow is more recognized, honoured and respected among his siblings even in the society because obtaining crown in the earthly race is measured by material wealth that does not last.

It is of a great importance to note that attaining a height in life requires a conscious effort. Hence, every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. These kind of individuals usually go extra miles to achieve their dream. Many of them do sacrifice a vital aspect of their life perhaps through a diabolic means in order to be a winner at the end. While many in all diligence, sacrifice their time, energy and resources all in a quest to obtain, but a corruptible crown on earth.

Riches, wealth and fortune is good and it is everybody's heart desire but it has its expiring date as long as it is earthly.

Death is an indefatigable enemy of mankind as no man has ever gotten so rich to have paid up the price required for him not to die. Death has no respect for title, office or position. It is certain that all will die regardless of many crowns ever obtained in the earthly races.

However, there is a heavenly race which is not popularly known and accepted among many individuals. It is a race in the unseen, invisible and a critical battle of the mind-The faith game.

It is so painful as many people do not even believe in the reality of heaven, to them it is seen as nothing but a fallacy and an unrealistic myth.

But, there is a new heaven and a new earth talked about in the bible where death has no power over the dwellers thereof.  

Revelation 21:1-8 
 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcome shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 

 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore-mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burn with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Heaven in contrary to many definitions is presently referred to as an invisible earth specially prepared for as many that will contest and win the battle against the adversary (The Devil).
Unlike the earthly race where men contend with one another, heavenly race is a battle mainly between man as an individual and the Devil.
I Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour (deceive)".   
Whether you believe it or not, the Devil is very serious about this business. His job is mainly to deceive you, lure you into evil and cause a separation between you and your maker. This is the only mission he is here to carry out and you are in the race together, side by side with him as long as you can discern evil and good.
 The Devil as the only contestant with us in the heavenly race is not seen with our optical eyes. However, the reality of his existence was proved when Adam was deceived to eat the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil at creation.
Understand there was no sin in Adam until he was able to discern good and evil. All of a sudden, Adam and his wife knew better than their creator therefore try to recreate themselves by covering their nakedness with fig leaves.
The presence of sin in the world today is a proof and the reality of an invisible race in which all of us are involved.
There is a spirit and power behind every sin committed as a man hence, the Devil is not seen physically but his presence in the world is more real than you can ever think of.  
 Job 1:7  says, "And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it".
As soon as you can judge with your intellect and can no longer come to the public scene nakedly as a child you  have entered the race even without your own concept.
Ephesians 6:11 however admonished us, "Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

It is so unfortunate, many people today see and fight their fellow human being as a major enemy when the original enemy is not revealed to them.
Dear reader, you have no adversary but the Devil.
He is the one behind every unhealthy competition.
He is not flesh and blood therefore you can not see nor touch him.
He lives in total darkness of this world and he is the commander-in-chief of spiritual wickedness in high places. The earlier we understand and fight our way through, the better.
The Devil is real and he is the force behind every sin committed by man.

Please understand that in contrary to its description as the heavenly race, the battle is here on earth. There is no preliminary, quarter-final nor semi-final stage. There is only one and the final stage which is now.
However, the battle is not all about material possession. If all you are fighting for is defined in earthly riches, you have been deceived but not yet devoured. 
The battle is all about our heavenly possession. Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you".
Why would you waste your energy, time and resources on that which does not last?
Apostle Paul in our open text says, "Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown but we an incorruptible". Reading this statement in between the line, we understand there are two groups of people being referred to.
There are those that fight and struggle only to obtain a corruptible and earthly possession which the Devil is the one in charge. And, there are those whose interest are not earthly based but heavenly, invisible and spiritual which Jesus Christ is in charge. But where do you belong?

It is true the first Adam lost the battle against the Devil and through him every man was counted a looser.
But, in Christ Jesus as the second and the last Adam, the crown was recovered. Jesus fought the Devil, won the battle and His victory was proved when He came back to life after the battle was over.
However, this was not achieved without a divine assistance for the bible says, "God hath raised Him up from the dead" Roman 10:9

Dear reader, success is not a game of loneliness, rather it is a game played and admired by the majority. No one dares to be a failure hence, to be successful in life demands that one is teamed up with the right people.
Jesus is the member of the Trinity team and He is the only one ever known to have gotten victory over Satan save many of us who have become members of  His winning team because God was there to raise Him up from the dead. Beside this, no one else!
Your destination in life whether as a success or failure is largely determined by your membership to a winning team or a loosing team.
Jesus declared after His encounter with the Devil in Matthew 28:18, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth". He resurrected back to earth a winner triumphing over death and every power of the  Devil thereby rendering him a looser.
The choice however is now yours, but I will encourage you to make up your mind, vacate the Devil's camp and head straight to join the winning team of Jesus Christ. He is ever ready to accept you into the beloved irrespective of your many sins.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-29, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls".
There is so much struggle on earth but rest is guaranteed only in Christ Jesus. If only we can join His team, not moving ahead of Him but yoking ourselves and maintaining a levelled pace with Him in a deeper relationship and fellowship, we will learn and obtain our rest in Him.

Jesus is the winner in the past, present and future. 
All power is given unto Him in heaven and in earth over every situation. 
He is the current and reigning champion.
He is the winner all the time 
All it takes to join His team is simply by believe and confess Him as your Lord and personal saviour.
Visit our new convert page and follow the steps involved to get it done.  He is able to undo all that the enemy has done in your life.
Henceforth, let there be anger against Devil and hunger for God!!!

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