• Shalini Jugya, Ambassador of Christ

Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. “Acts 4:12

I still remember gasping for breath in the middle of my first 5K run. My legs felt like lead, my chest was burning, and every thought in my head screamed, “Quit! You can’t make it.” But as I slowed down, a friend came alongside me. He didn’t let me stop. Step by step, he encouraged me until, against all odds, I crossed the finish line.

That moment became a picture of my spiritual life. No matter how hard I tried to be “good enough” for God, I always fell short. I carried guilt, shame, and failure like heavy weights strapped to my back. I was exhausted, running but never arriving. Then I cried out to Jesus and He did what I could not. He picked me up, carried me, and brought me across the RUNNING THE RACE OF SALVATION Written by: Shalini Jugya, Ambassador of Christ, Salvation Run Published on: 23rd August 2025 finish line into salvation. This is what the gospel is about. Salvation Run is not just about endurance it is about why we need Jesus Christ as our Savior to complete the race of life.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." – 1 Corinthians 9:24 Life often feels like a race. We strive, push forward, and pour out every ounce of strength to reach the finish line whether that line is success, recognition, comfort, or security. But what if we are running in the wrong direction? What if all our effort, no matter how disciplined, cannot lead us to the finish line that truly matters? This is where the message of salvation through Jesus Christ becomes clear. Salvation Run is not just about physical endurance or discipline. It is about the greatest race of all the race of faith and why we desperately need a Savior to complete it.

The Race We Cannot Win Alone

All of us are in a race whether we realize it or not. We chase success, wealth, relationships, recognition, or comfort. But spiritually, Scripture tells us the truth: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).Every human being is in a spiritual race. The Bible tells us that God created us for fellowship with Him, to live in His presence and walk in His ways. But sin entered the world and broke that fellowship. Instead of running toward God, we run away from Him toward selfishness, pride, and temporary pleasures. Sin is like a limp, an injury, or a weight pulling us back. We cannot run toward God on our own strength. Even our best efforts our “good works “cannot bring us across the finish line of eternal life. Isaiah 64:6 says our righteous deeds are like filthy rags compared to God’s holiness. That is our condition spiritually. We cannot save ourselves. Our good deeds, religious rituals, or self-discipline are not enough We may try to run on our own merit, but we will never make it to the prize of eternal life.

Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith The beauty of the gospel is that Jesus has already completed the race we could not. On the cross, He bore the penalty of our sin, and through His resurrection, He opened the way to eternal life. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” He is both the starting line and the finish line. Salvation begins when we surrender at the cross, and it ends with eternal life in His presence. Salvation is not about us running harder it is about trusting the One who has already run and won for us.

Running With Purpose When I gave my life to Christ, I experienced what it means to run free. The weight of guilt lifted. The shame I carried was gone. For the first time, I wasn’t running alone I was running with Jesus.That’s the transformation salvation brings. We run not for fading trophies but for an eternal crown (1 Corinthians 9:25). We run not out of fear but out of love. We run with purpose because Christ has already guaranteed the victory.When we receive Jesus as Savior, everything changes. We no longer run aimlessly, chasing after things that fade away. Instead, we run with purpose, fueled by the Spirit of God, aiming for the eternal prize that cannot be taken away.Paul describes this in 1 Corinthians 9:25: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Salvation is the entry into this race. Without it, we run in circles, exhausting ourselves on empty pursuits. With Jesus, we run with joy, perseverance, and hope, knowing the prize is certain eternal life in Him.

Encouragement for the Journey

Running with Jesus does not mean the race becomes easy. Trials, temptations, and setbacks still come. But unlike before, you no longer run alone. Christ runs with you, empowering you to endure. Hebrews 10:36 reminds us: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” That promise is eternal life in His presence, a prize far greater than any earthly reward.

Conclusion

Life is a race, but salvation is the prize only Christ can give. Without Him, we stumble and collapse. With Him, we are assured with forgiveness, freedom, strength, and assurance of victory.

So, let me ask you: Have you begun your race of salvation? Where are you in this race? Have you surrendered at the cross and allowed Jesus to carry you? The invitation stands today. Lay aside your burdens, fix your eyes on Jesus, and take that first step of faith, because in the end, the greatest joy will not be crossing a finish line on earth, but standing before God in heaven and hearing Him say: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Welcome home.”