gains the prize of eternal life only by running the race. Faith that perseveres not only receives God’s approval now but also God’s final commendation in the day of judgment. Yet this obedient faith contributes nothing to God’s gracious salvation accomplished in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. So before we proceed, we need to clarify what we mean by the phrase “how the prize is attained.” The how of which we speak in this chapter is not the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,