Running the Race Before You

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?
Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown,
but we for an imperishable crown.
Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty.
Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,
lest, when I have preached to others,
I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Cor. 9:24-27 NKJV

Growing up I was never athletically endowed. I was not good at any sports. In adult years I disliked sports metaphors in preaching. Now I know that anyone can understand the message in any metaphor even though they really never had the experience. why they are used so effectively in teaching. Jesus used them, and here Paul is using metaphors he learned back in Corinth. (Corinth was one of the areas that hosted the games.) Races and boxing were two of the most popular sports at the time.

I used to wonder about the “ but one receives the prize” part of this verse. I thought that we all run in the “Christ-like race” and we all win. But I now believe Paul is saying that we need to run as if there will only be one winner. We should run with all we got, with the best of our abilities (and even our non-abilities) We know that we are part of a larger group, the Church, and we are to help encourage the others in this race. But we must follow Christ with the determination that we will finish no matter if no one else comes along.

In the Gospel of John verses 21:18-22, Jesus tells Peter to follow Him and Peter turns to John and asks Jesus about him and Jesus replies, “what is that (how John will die) to you, you follow me.” In a race, you do not keep an eye on others. Nor do you keep looking behind you. I remember a movie years ago about an auto race where the driver snatched off his review mirror and told his passenger that he was not concerned with what was behind him but what was ahead of him. Paul stated in Phil. 3:13-14 that, “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” Forget the forgiven things in our past that may hold us down, press forward. And to win, we must discipline ourselves to run or box. Lose the flab (the flesh).
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before you,
looking unto Jesus, the Author, and Finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God” Heb. 12:1-2

Why run? The ancient Greeks participated in the games to win a small wreath of a crown that would decay in a few days. It was the honor and glory that was the real prize. The crowds worshiped them as gods. Their every pleasure was indulged. This only lasted until the next event and they had to win again. So the honor and glory of the world decayed also. We run for the glory of our Lord who is our example. Just as He endured the cross with His eye on the prize, which was the glory of being reunited with God the Father and bridging the gap so we might also join Him as overcomers. The Bible speaks of us earning crowns, but in the end we will lay them at His feet when we finally realize that Christ is our prize and our reward.

Those watching on the sidelines that said a prayer years ago, and that was as far as they went will not get the prize for just “participating.” They must be in the “race set before them. The witnesses mentioned in the above Hebrews passage are the faithful that were listed in the prior verses that have already run the race. They are in the winners circle. Their victory will not fade. Their witness should encourage you on.

So , “Therefore having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7:1

and
“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 Jn 2:6