The rat race
FIRST LOVE RECOVERY MINISTRIES THE RAT RACE
Ecclesiastes 9(KJV) verse 11 " I returned, and saw under the
sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the
strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of
understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and
chance happeneth to them all." Romans 9(KJV) verse 16 "So then
it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of
God that sheweth mercy."
Underneath the megacity,millions of rats young and old,male and
female hurried through the varoius passageways in search for
food. Whenever food got scarce, the sick,weak,injured,
disabled,elderly and newborn often got neglected,since the
natural instinct of hunger had been transformed into lethal
greed in a battle that favours the fittest and wittest.For every
rat,this gruelsome race starts from birth and continues until
death! The modern world is lost in such a race as people run
after the pleasures,possessions and positions that life offers!
Even though this way of lfe seems popular does not mean that it
is the authentic way of life especially for those who are
followers of Christ Jesus the Lord!This way of lfe engages
motives,methods,and means that are diabolically opposed to the
ways of our Lord! And everyone is naturally born into 'this rat
race'.
Matthew 7(KJV) verse 13 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for
wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:" verse 14 "
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth
unto life, and few there be that find it."
The rat race takes place on the broad and glamorous way that
leads to destruction of the individual,the home,the
community,the nation,and the world! The Christian race is
however different to the rat race which is the order of the
worldly system.The Christian race is run on the narrow way.The
Christian race is the pursuit of God through Jesus Christ our
Lord and Saviour.Throughout the Christian race,Christ alone is
to be glorified from start to finish!It is therefore a race that
is for Christ,with Christ,and through Christ! To leave 'the rat
race' of the world system and start the Christian race,everyone
has to have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ during which
the individual wholeheartedly repents of his/her sins and humbly
accepts Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Saviour into
his/her heart. The word of God clearly advocates divine
prosperity but shuns worldly prosperity! And the people of God
have to boldly take and keep a stand against all signs and
shades of unrighteousness even in all financial matters since
they are called to be a holy people by the Holy One of Israel
Himself!The acquisition and expenditure of kingdom wealth by the
Christian,and the Church is by divine wisdom based to godly
fear;and demonstrated by good works. The Christian should not
trust in his riches,but in the Lord who gives him power to get
wealth(Deut 8:18).The Christian is called to be a servant of
God,not mammon,or both!
Proverbs 23(KJV) verse 4 "Labour not to be rich: cease from
thine own wisdom." verse 5"Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that
which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they
fly away as an eagle toward heaven." Matthew 6(KJV) verse 24 "No
man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the
other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6(KJV) verse 33
" But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you." 1 Timothy 6(KJV)
verse 17 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be
not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living
God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" verse18 "That
they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to
distribute, willing to communicate;" verse 19 "Laying up in
store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal life."
The world system presents several obstacles which are designed
to hinder every Christian from having and spending kingdom
wealth but we overcome this wicked system through our faith in
the Lord as our provider.
1 John 5(KJV) verse 4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh
the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith."
In this Christian race,for anyone who is feeling... ...weak,the
LORD is our strength(Psalm 18:2) ...sick and injured,the LORD is
our healer(Exodus 15:26) ...confused and troubled,the LORD is
our peace(Judges 6:24) ...lonely,the Lord is ever with us(Matt
28:20) ...under attack,the Lord is our defence(Psalm 18:2)
...lost,the Lord is our guide(Psalm 48:14) ...guilty,the Lord
forgives and cleanses us(1 John 1:9)
Hebrews 12(KJV) verse 1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed
about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us
run with patience the race that is set before us," verse 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God."