When they talk about Christian life being a race, what do they mean?

Answer 1

It means that once saved always saved is false.
That you must finish the race you started.
GOD GIVES THE FREE GIFT(CAR) BUT YOU MUST REPLENISH THE FUEL SUPPLY(HOLY SPIRIT)
ANOTHERWORDS THERE IS NOTHING IN LIFE THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE UPKEEP CALL IT, AND SO IT IS WITH OUR RESPONSIBLITY TO SERVE THE LORD LOVINGLY AFTER BEING BORNAGAIN TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
CHECK THIS OUT...http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/
live4truth=]

Answer 2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the RACE that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.
Hebrews chapter 12 v 1 - 2

Paul's final words in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 7 - 8

I have fought a good fight, I have finished the RACE, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me on that great day of His return. And the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His glorious return.

Answer 3

Well think about a race. You get to the starting line. Then you run. You run hard, as hard as you can, trying to cross the line first because there's something to win. The Christian life is the same way- you try to follow God's way and you're trying to beat sin and evil. At the end, if you've done your job right there's Heaven, the prize.

Answer 4

Well, it's what Paul used to describe his life. He pretty much hit the ground running after his run-in with Jesus on the road to Damascus. And it's a description that fits.

Philippians 3:7-14

7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

* * *

That's what we're in this for. We were Jesus' prize when He was making His way to the cross (see Hebrews 12:2). And when we come to trust in His love and start reciprocating, He's our one and only goal. He's the finish line, and He's the prize.