The Danger of Neglect and the Hope of Victory -- My Recent Tabletalk Essay
Several biblical writers—including the author of Hebrews—tell us that the Christian life is like a race. The starting line is our conversion. The finish line is death. As we run this race, we are to look ahead to the finish line—the victory and inheritance that are ours in Jesus Christ. Yet with the finish line before our eyes, we are warned by the author of Hebrews not to let our progress be hindered by carelessness or the rejection of godly discipline.
Just as athletes train hard, prepare in advance for the big race, and struggle not to quit when their lungs feel like they are about to explode, believers must endure over the course of the Christian life. The Christian life will be tough—like a marathon. It will not be easy, since it entails an intense struggle with sin. We will, at times, desire to give up and quit. We know that the Christian life will require work, diligence, and persistence. There are no shortcuts. Yet through faith in Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit, God gives us every resource we need to complete the race and win the prize. This is what the discipline of God is intended to teach us. We neglect this to our peril.
You can read the essay here: The Danger of Neglect and the Hope of Victory