This is exactly what the apostle Paul is telling the church in Corinth. He is saying you must:
1. Run the Race to win; 2. Discipline yourself; 3. Stay on the Track; 4. Buffet your body daily
If you are one of those who are trying to ride across the finish line on the back of somebody else, you will be disqualified from the race. Listen to Paul’s words:
1 Cor 9:24 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.
1 Cor 9:25 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 forever.
1 Cor 9:26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
1 Cor 9:27 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 is speaking here about a very long race that pays tribute to a Greek soldier who almost 2500 years ago after the battle of Marathon was dispatched to run to Athens to announce the victory. He delivered the news and collapsed dead from over exertion. In honor of his death the marathon race, an event well known to 1st century Christians became part of the Isthmian games held only 10 miles away from the Corinthians to whom Paul was
writing. As a matter of fact The Corinthians alternated hosting those games every other year.
Run the Race to Win:
Paul is challenging these Christians go ut and run the race in such a way that you and many others may win. God wants us to be winners not losers, but He wants each one of us to run the race.
No one who just shows up for the marathon race wins, oh you might win the short race, but you will not win the long race without a strong resolve to win.
The resolve one needs to win this race is to agree to be:
1 Cor 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.
It is not enough simply to be in the race, Paul is saying once entered:
1. We must take our spiritual life seriously
2. We must push ourselves to the limit
3. We must be deeply committed to winning the prize, just as if we were running for only 1 prize.
4. You see in a Marathon there is only one first place wreath.
These Isthmian runners ran for a crown made of leafy greenery from the Laurel called a stephanos. Upon winning they had instant fame, tax exemptions and a free education, many statues would be carved in their image and those statues would actually line the road that led to the site where the games were held.
Our verse says 1 Cor 9:25 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 forever.
If a Marathon runner 2500 years ago would be so dedicated to win a withering pine wreath and some short lived fame and a few bucks, how much more should the Christian be resolved and determined to gain what is eternal?
The reality of the prize God has for us at the end of this life should ignite us in our faith and inspire us every step of the way.
Paul says to Timothy (2 Tim 4:8) in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Are we intent on winning the crown, just as if there were only one to get? (Now, you need to know Christian’s there is more than one crown, there will be one for each of us when we finish the race, but God is asking us to run as if there were only one.)
He is asking us to live this Christian life, according to His rules, so we might not be disqualified.
My heart absolutely burns for lost people and when I hear someone say about the death of a non-believer. "Oh, they are in a better place, "it hurts real deep.
Because I know they have been deceived and I hold in my heart and my hands the rules for the race and so do you.
You must know and we must teach that the race must be run according to the rules God gives.
We must not conform God to our image, nor can we make up the rules of the race to win the prize at the end.
God has given us His rules, we must know the rules and we must run the race according to His rules, not ours
and we must finish the race.
I ask you today and you answer it: are you lax in your spiritual pursuit of holiness? Do you know the rules of the road or have you created rules that seem right to you? Have you made God say something He has never said?
Many people today practice a form of godliness that seems right to them, but in the end it will lead to their death.
Discipline Yourself . . . You have to come and work out.
I can provide the spiritual food, but you have to come to the trough and eat. .
Self- discipline is what Paul is talking about- it is the best form of discipline.
Every one of these Olympic runners entered into 10 months of rigorous training under the watchful eye of an official. . They lifted weights, they carried out various exercise drills, they ran laps, they regulated their diet, and they abstained from alcohol-all to win the prize.
Our text says: in v 25 And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
An undisciplined lifestyle is one sure way to lose the race.
We need to train for the race by:
Reading the word - and understand clearly how we are to live.
Pray for God’s enabling for you and for others.
Submit - give over all of your life to God and follow the Lord.
Serve the Lord and the Lord alone. You cannot serve two Masters you will love one and hate the other.
Confess sins.
Worship regularly.
Stay away from temptation.
Paul says in: 1 Tim 4:7-8 discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
What is stopping you from doing what you love for the church?
Stay on Track
Every runner must know where the track is, our course is clearly marked, we must not get off track and be deceived by the world, but keep your eyes fixed to the prize-our goal is heaven.
1 Cor 9:26 v26, Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
Our track Christians is God’s word. The track is narrow and few people find it. The gate is narrow and few people go through it. The narrow path includes every aspect of our lives-
Our private/personal life, home, business and church.
An aimless runner, will lack any clear direction and his chasing will be a chasing after the wind. At the end he will die exhausted, empty and without any reward for all his aimless effort.
The race we run as Christians is for life.
Paul’s motto was not "climb on" and let me carry you across the finish line- it was follow me, as I follow Christ.
That is what a leader does, he takes people where they need to go and a good leader always has people behind him, but a good leader makes sure that he knows where he is going, he goes first and. He follows the rules.
Our aim is to run this race and take as many people with us as we can.
Are you in the race? Are you running with Divine direction and eternal purpose? Or are you just coming along for the ride?
LAST, Buffet your Body
1 Cor 9:27 but I buffet my body and make it my slave, Every athlete gives up certain comforts in order to win the prize.
What is it they say "NO Pain No Gain" The athlete pushes himself in rigorous repetition in order to get in shape. And then during the race he pushed himself to the limit to gain the victory.
Paul is talking about boxing here another event and not racing, but he is saying we must toughen up against temptation and deliver a knock-out punch to our fleshly desires.
Runners we must resist all temptation and crucify the sensual lust that seek to destroy us, in this race we must remain pure and blameless.
Paul knows he has to train too, he knows he has to press on and he has to finish. He understands that just because he is an official who gives us the rules, that he is not exempt from running by the rules (lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
But when we finish this race as hard as it is we will have a smile on our face.
Paul knew winning the prize required genuine obedience.
Are you buffeting your body daily? Are you resisting all fleshly lusts? In what area of your life do you need to be fully obedient?
The race will soon be over-every runner aimless or not will appear before the judgment seat of Christ so we may receive our reward for what we have done while in the race- either good or bad.
Right now counts for all eternity, let us run the race as if in the next moment we will stand before Christ.
One day we will stand on the podium - not for a gold medal, but we will receive the prize. May we then with Paul say "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2Tim 4:7
Submitted By Larry L. Vollink, Chaplain/Pastor, DeTour Christian Church, MI, lawrenceV@comcast.net
