Post # 32
The Christian life is often called the Christian Walk or Journey. The Apostle Paul likened it to a Race. The Olympic Games were up and running in Greece in Paul’s time.
1Cor 9:24-27 –
24 “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.
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 for ever.
26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Paul said we should run to win as if there were only one prize. This analogy doesn’t intend to mean that we are in competition with each other.
Another view is that we fight against our own inertia to live the Christian life – of changing from our ways to God’s ways.
The competition in this race is against; 1. Our own wills (fallen human nature) – 2. The distractions in our world – and 3. Satan’s temptations and negative influences.
We must Run to God and Run with God in order to keep out front and win the prize of eternal life at the end.
Let’s consider 4 aspects of the Olympic quest.
1. Matching. – Each contestant must discover and develop their abilities and be chosen to compete in an event and represent their nation.
God loves each of us and has chosen us and given us gifts that we can use to run our ‘race’ in line with his will.
2. Practice. – They are expected to put other pursuits aside and to train hard. We are expected to give our first priority to God, – to study the Bible and to apply its principles in our lives.
3. Performance. – They are prepared to give it their most intense effort, urged on by the cheering crowds – knowing that the judges are observing them.
We too need to have a measure of intensity in resisting distractions and temptations and keeping up the ‘oil supply’ in our daily lives.
4. Award Ceremony. – For us it will be the rejoicing at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
This will be like an Opening Ceremony to the New Heavens and New Earth.
The good news is there will be no Closing Ceremonies.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
In conclusion, the last part of Heb 12:1 bears repeating – “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”.
God has given each of us a part to play in life, according to his will, and he wants us to Go For It and Run With It.
Then at the end we will see those streets paved with gold and will want to dance for joy on them.
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