The First Mile and the Last Mile

I have been teaching 8th graders about justification and sanctification.  It is a difficult concept for them, but it is crucial for them to differentiate between the two.  While I was running my 9.3 practice miles for the Gate, I stumbled upon (in my mind) an interesting analogy involving the first mile and the last mile.  They are, at least for me as a runner, the most important in a race.  They should be viewed as the most important in the Christian's race as well.

In running, the first mile is important.  It is the one that gets you off the couch and hitting the pavement.  The first mile for the Christian is putting your faith in Jesus Christ.  This places in the narrow path that leads to heaven.  John 14:6 illustrates the margins of that path. "No man cometh to the father except by Me", Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  When we put our faith in Christ, God sees us as righteous, just as if we had never sinned.  As Christians, this is the beginning of our journey.

No runner wants to walk his last mile, especially not the finish line.  He wants to run across the line.  Paul speaks often of his desires for his last mile.  In Acts 20 he is telling of his trials and ends by saying "None of these things move me".  He was not distracted by his difficulties in life, he knew who he believed and was persuaded that He would finish His work (2 Tim 1:12, Phil 1:6).  Paul was not ashamed when he ran into heaven because he was not ashamed of the gospel here on earth.

If the first mile and the last mile are most important, does that mean those middle ones don't matter.  Absolutely not.  If I, as a runner, go too fast or try to do too much, I may become weary and stumble.  As a consequence, I might walk, stumble or crawl across the finish line, making me ashamed of my performance.  It is those middle miles in our Christian life that will keep us from not being ashamed before Christ when we conclude our last mile.

This is where an understanding of sanctification is important.  It is the act of turning from the world to God. (2 Cor 5:17).  These "good works" are not necessary for justification, but should be a result.  Just like the middle miles for a runner, you must prepare.  Your preparation for those miles in your Christian walk comes from God's Word.  Here you will find the plan for your life.  Follow it.