The apostle Paul likened the Christian way of life to race to be won. It was an apt metaphor because the illustrated the consummate effort that must be put forth by a Christian if he is to prove victorious as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Earlier in the same chapter he spoke of his own ministry to both Jews and Gentiles and the degree to which he poured himself out in the interests of others in preaching the gospel. “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” (1Cor. 9:19 New International Version) a few verses later he summed up the matter by writing: “I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Cor. 9:23 NIV) the apostle was focused not only on sharing the gospel’s salvation blessings with others, but also on sharing in those blessings himself. It was following this statement that he compared the disciplined efforts of his ministry to the training required to succeed as a runner in a race or a boxer. The illustration is presented below:

     Do you 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. 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 forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 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. –1Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV.

     Christians living in Corinth would readily relate to the matter of athletic contests, as there was the Isthmian Games held on the Isthmus of Corinth. These games were second in the importance only to the Olympian Games, which were held every four years. As in today’s world, skilled athletes were greatly honored and celebrated in the Roman world. Those Athletes set aside every other interest and painfully devoted themselves to exercises and drills that would maximize their abilities in the games. There could be no distractions to side tract the in their quest to win the victors prize. In the Corinthian games that prize was a wreath or crown (Gr. Stephanos) of wild celery placed on the head of the winner. Paul points out that temporary nature of such a crown and reminds the brothers that the crown they are to seeking will last forever. That everlasting crown is not specifically identified but no doubt refers to “the crown of life” that the Lord Jesus Christ will grant those who overcome. (Rev.2: 10) that being so , Paul emphasized the importance of overcoming , the fallen flesh, making it his slave and not the other way around.

     In the Grecian games the opponents to defeat were fellow contestants. Not so, in the Christian race. In the Christian contest the opponent to overcome the fleshly self. Paul speaks of “beating his boy to make it his slave.” Another translation renders the Greek: “I punish my body and bring it under control.” (New Jerusalem Bible) as with all others believers, Paul had to contend with the tension that existed within himself between what the spirit of God wanted and what the sinful flesh wanted. “For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit. The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom. 8:5-8) New American Bible) the hostility between the spirit and the flesh produces a fight within every believer in one form or another. The spirit must win out consistently over the fallen flesh if the prize is to be won. The book of Hebrews also likens the Christian life to a race and looks back to the record left by ancient people of faith who set a good example in this regard. “With this great cloud of witnesses around us, therefore, we must throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so readily restricts us, and run with resolution the race which lies ahead of us.” (Heb.12: 1 Revised English Bible) Another translation read: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”(Heb12: 1 New Revised Standard Version) A runner cannot do well if an unnecessary load weighs him down. Every Christian would do well to ask himself if he is allowing some unnecessary activity or interferes in his life encumber his running ability. Such activity may not be sinful in itself, but if it interferes with spiritual growth and Christian responsibilities it becomes an unnecessary weight to be set aside. And there is always the stumbling stone of sin that can throw one off course. Although we are set free from the law of sin it tends to ‘cling’ to us and will always remain a potential threat to our spiritual health should we be stumbled by it?

     Another danger confronting Christians is being misled to run a course not laid out by the Lord Jesus Christ, but one designed by human imagination. Here are many false prophets in the world teaching gospels different from the Lord and his apostles taught. The only safe course is to faithfully follow the revealed word of God in the Bibl. Significantly, the write of Hebrews advises believers to run with “our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfect or of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay ahead of him, he endured the cross, ignoring its disgrace, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who submitted to such opposition from sinners; that will help you not lose heart and grow faint.” (Heb. 12:2, 3) REB) The Lord looked beyond the immediate ordeal of summering and sacrifices to the brilliant and joyful reunion with his Father in glory. But it is also good to remember that the Lord benefited greatly in the midst of his perseverance. We are told: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”(Heb.5: 7,8 NIV) and in another place it is said, “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Heb.2: 17, 18 NIV) We, too, stand to learn precious lessons of faith and righteousness during the days of our perseverance. Our heavenly Father subjects us to such trials as he subjected his only begotten Son to them. In fact, we are told that he not only disciplines but also punishes everyone he receives as one of his children. The writer of Hebrews put it this way.

     In the struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. You have forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons: “My son, do not think lightly of the Lord’s discipline, or be discouraged when he corrects you; for whom the Lord loves he disciplines; he chastises every son whom he acknowledges.” (Prov. 4:26) You must endure it as discipline: God is treating you as sons. Can anyone be a son and not be disciplined by his father? If you escape the discipline in which all sons share, you must be illegitimate and not true sons. Again, we paid due respect to our human fathers who disciplined us; should we not submit even more readily to our spiritual Father, and so attain life? They disciplined us for a short time as they thought best; but he does so for our true welfare, so that we may share his holiness. Discipline, to be sure, is never pleasant; at the time it seems painful, but afterwards those who have been trained by it reap the harvest of a peaceful and upright life. So brace your drooping arms and shaking knees, and keep on a straight path; then the weakened limb will not be put out of joint, but will regain its former powers. -Hebrews 12:4-13 REB.

     Those who have been born from above and have tested (experienced) the Christian way of life have no desire to return to the dictates of the fallen flesh. As the spirit of God works within such ones it implants the character of God on the mind and heart. It also identifies and condemns those fallen attitudes or traits one may have which stand in opposition to the direction of God’s spirit. In this transforming process the Christian may find that he is being convicted of sin he was not conscious of up to that moment. This self-discovery, made possible by the spirit of God, can become a very painful realization that he is not as righteously mature as he may have thought he was. What was once considered the ‘normal’ way of reacting to a particular situation is now seen as a manifestation of the sinful flesh and the spirit creates discomfort and there is a danger of misunderstanding it. Rather than be humiliated when this happens- and it will happen-rejoice! Because it is a confirmation that God is dealing with you as one of his sons.

     Those who have allowed themselves to be trained by it can only appreciate the benefits of divine discipline. While it is unpleasant to have some unclean thing revealed to you, it is the only way you will come to see it.. Only then can you learn to dislike it and remove it from your personality. It is only after the intent of God’s spirit has been acted upon that one begins to experience the realization of God’s blessing and the inner refreshing goodness of renewed heart. The goodness-contained n the fruitage of God’s spirit is pure joy to experience. Then, and only then, do we begin to comprehend the full measure of God’s love for us. But, like running the race as whole, there is always something to endure, something to overcome. Divine qualities such as patience, mildness, forgiveness, goodness and humility will all be tested in various ways and each one will have a price to be paid for it. (Gal. 5:22-23) only a complete and abiding faith and love of God will make us equal to the challenges running the Christian race requires. But if we keep our eyes on Jesus, as we are told to do, we will renew our strength and continue faithfully forward until we complete the course laid out for us. Running under the empowering force of the spirit of God we can be assure of winning the race and receiving the victor’s crown-the crown of life.

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