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Race
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Sports are not a
recent phenomenon. Man has long been interested and engaged in
athletic contests. Their influence is even reflected in the
language of the Scriptures, particularly Paul’s writings.
“I press on to the goal” (Phil. 3:4). “Let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1-2).
“I have finished the course” (2 Tim. 4:7).
In 2 Corinthians 9, the apostle devoted an entire paragraph to
the comparison of the Christian life with “the games.” The
Isthmian Games were held every two years at the Isthmus of
Corinth, eight miles outside the city. They were modeled after
the Olympic Games and included events such as footraces,
boxing, wrestling, and chariot races. In such an environment,
Paul’s Corinthian audience would have had little trouble
making the jump from the physical games to their own spiritual
contest.
All Christians are involved in a race. It is not a sprint or a
dash, but a marathon to be “run with endurance.” It is a
race that has hurdles and twists and turns and one that must
be conducted according to the rules. And unlike sports seasons
and games held every two or four years, this is a race that is
ongoing.
What does it take to be successful in the race of life?
You have to finish what you’ve started. “Do you
not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one
receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win” (1
Cor. 9:24). Running is not the same as winning. Just because
you got out of the starting blocks does not mean that you have
crossed the finish line. Just because you have run for a
little while does not mean that you have gone far enough. In
this race, you win when you finish what you’ve started.
In the next chapter, Paul used the Israelites as an
illustration of this point. They all left the bondage of
Egypt. They all passed through Red Sea. But they did not all
make it to the Promised Land. Because of their disobedience
along the way, most of them “were laid low in the
wilderness” (1 Cor. 10:5).
The Christian race involves determination to complete the
journey you have begun. Otherwise, you lose.
You must see the need for discipline. “Everyone who
competes in the games exercises self control in all things”
(1 Cor. 9:25). There were specific requirements for the
athletes who entered the Isthmian Games. They had to prove
that they were of pure Greek blood. They had to show that they
had not forfeited their citizenship through misconduct or
improper behavior. And they had to demonstrate that they had
submitted themselves to ten weeks of training, willingly
foregoing things that would interfere with their goals of
competition. Otherwise, they were disqualified.
In our culture of convenience, everything must be obtained
immediately. We want quick fixes, overnight success, and ten
minute abs. But the Christian race is not run this way. It
takes time, effort, energy, and deep concentration. It takes a
willingness to bring your heart, soul, strength, and mind into
subjection to a new Master. It takes a decision to follow the
guidelines specified in the Word of God. To run without
discipline, as even Paul admitted, is to run the risk of
disqualification.
You have to keep your concentration on the prize.
“They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable” (1 Cor. 9:25). The reason an athlete subjects
his body to exercise and training is the reward that awaits
him. When Craig Biggio was interviewed near the close of his
career, he was asked if he would rather be elected into the
Baseball Hall of Fame or win the World Series. He didn’t
skip a beat when he answered, “I want that ring.”
In the Isthmian Games, the winner of the contest received a
crown made out of olive branches and, in later years, pine
leaves. And that was well worth it to them. How much more,
then, our “crown of life” (Rev. 2:10) and our “unfading
crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4)? It’s the reason we started
running in the first place. How tragic to forfeit the prize
for something of far less value. Don’t take your eye off of
where you’re going. When you do, you start running in the
wrong direction.
We have all overcome obstacles to get this far down the road.
There are likely other trials that await us up ahead. But
let’s not stop until we get home. This is a race to the
finish.
Bubba Garner
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Copyright (C)
2009
Southside Church of Christ
All rights reserved.
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