Run the Race
I Corinthians 9:24 "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. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.
We often go back to our ancient history and think about the original Olympic games in Greece. In the ancient Olympic games the stadium was an ellipse or circle, and the starting point was also the goal; instead of running from one end of the racecourse to the other in a straight line, the athlete ran around the curve at its far end and returned to the point where he started. The Christian life has Jesus as Author and Finisher because we begin with Him on earth as Savior, we finish with Him as Lord and Rewarder in heaven.
We Will Fail Without A Clear Goal. The Christian has a definite goal (v.25). What is it? Peter describes our goal as "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven.." (1 Peter 1:4). Paul was able to talk about having done what it takes to reach this goal (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Even the great men and women of faith from the Old Testament era remembered this goal
We Will Fail If We Do Not Observe The Rules. First, one must compete in the proper area. The boxer must stay in the ring and the runner must stay in the proper track. To break the rules is to forfeit the contest. (10 commandments)
We must stay within the limits that God has set for us. Simply put, we must obey God (Matthew 7:21). It is the words of Christ that will judge us on the last day (John 12:48).
We Will Fail Without Proper Training. In our text, Paul said that the athlete must exercise "self-control" which means to exercise self-restraint. In order to accomplish this, one must be willing to accept the proper training.
The same thing is true spiritually. We are to make our lives as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1,2). We need to keep ourselves mentally prepared as well. We "renew" our minds in Bible study and meditation (2 Timothy 2:15). We also need to build upon what we have accomplished thus far, exercising our senses (Hebrews 5:12-14).
We Will Fail If We Do Not Value the Prize. Perhaps the value of the prize can best be seen in the words of Jesus. If we gain the whole world and lose our souls, then we will have settled for much less than what we could have had. (Matthew 16:26). Paul talks of the perishable wreath athletes of the first century contended for. It would not last. But our goal is imperishable. It is eternal and we shall be perfectly harmonious with our God and our new home. It will never get better than that.
Dolly Parton's high school was so small that during graduation each student was given the opportunity to stand up and announce their plans for the future. When Dolly's turn came, she said, "I'm going to Nashville to become a star." The entire place erupted in laughter; she was stunned. Later she said, "Somehow that laughter instilled in me an even greater determination to realise my dream. I might have crumbled under the weight of hardships that were to come had it not been for the response of the crowd that day. Sometimes it's funny the way we find inspiration."
By having a definite goal, staying in the designated area, being properly trained, and having a worthy goal, I can one day possess the incorruptible crown.
We all know the story of the tortoise and the hare? The hare started quickly but soon stopped before the end of the race. The tortoise continued on steadfastly and he won the prize.
While this is only a story it teaches the truth which is set forth in the Bible. All of the hare's efforts were vain. At the race's end, it had been as if he had only been beating the air. Don't live your life that way. Christ our Lord wins it, indeed, has already won it for you.
Christ ran a race that lasted over thirty years. He fought against none other than the prince of darkness, the strong man of this world. But Christ, who is stronger yet, pummelled the devil and conquered that serpent.
He did all this to win the crown. But His crown is you. The prize that drove Him onward all those years and even through the agony of the Cross was you. He desired to win you, and nothing would get in His way - not death, not hell, not satan, not even the weight of your sins. Christ overcame it all. He won the victory by dying.
Now, the victory is yours. The Judge has declared you the winner, as if you ran the race to the finish. Your life is counted as holy, as if everything Christ did throughout His life was done by you. You are righteous in God's sight. You are declared the winner, the perfect athlete, and worthy of the prize, which you have even now: the crown of eternal life. So let us keep our eyes on this crown of glory that has been won for us by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wilma Rudolph was the 20th of 22 children. She was born prematurely and doctors didn't expect her to survive. She did but at the age of 4, she contracted double pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her with her left leg paralysed. At the age of 9, she removed the metal leg brace she had depended on for the past five years and began walking without it. By 13, she had developed a rhythmic walk, which doctors said was a miracle. That same year, she decided she wanted to begin running. She entered her first race and came in last. For the next three years, she came in dead last in every race she entered. But, she kept on running until the day came that she won a race. Eventually, the little girl who was not supposed to live and then who was not supposed to be able to walk would win three Olympic gold medals.
A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back. Every one of them. One girl with Down's syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better," Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why?
Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.mPaul wrote: "Brethren, If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one anothers burden's, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:1,2).