~
The Christian Race: Overview ~
The
Race for The Crown ~ What does it take to be a champion in a
given sport? For one, it is necessary to
have a dedication to succeed no matter what the cost. A passion for the game is certainly
essential, as is a single-minded determination to accomplish the task at
hand. A willingness to train incessantly
is also required. And a burning desire
for the trophy or prize awarded to the one who wins is an absolute must.
In his letter to the Corinthians [1 Corinthians], the
Apostle Paul drew a direct comparison between the Christian life and an
athletic completion. This comparison
would have had an immediate resonance with Paul’s Corinthian readers. Corinth was the site of the Isthmian games, a
great athletic festival that was very similar to the Olympic games [of our
day]. Contestants in the Isthmian games
endured ten months of mandatory training.
Anyone who failed to complete this training was barred from competing in
the games. The highlight of the Isthmian
games was a great endurance race. It was
this race that Paul used as an illustration to depict the faithful Christian
life.
In the Isthmian games, several athletes competed for one
prize; there could be only one winner.
In contrast, the Christian life
offers the opportunity for many people to be winners. The winner of the Isthmian games received a
pine wreath crown. Those who faithfully
complete the Christian life, on the other hand, will receive an imperishable
crown.
Paul illustrates the “champion” mindset required to
faithfully complete the Christian life with his statements, “I run thus: not
with uncertainty” and “Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air” (9:26). Paul was not an aimless competitor. He had a clearly defined goal. Like an athlete preparing for a race or a
boxing match, Paul knew that he had to discipline his body; he had to force
himself to maintain the strenuous, consistent practice needed for success.
The race which Paul prepared himself for, the race that all
Christians need to prepare themselves for, was the calling of God. Paul taught that Christians are rewarded for
the calling that God gives them. Paul
had an apostolic ministry for which he sacrificed all things. He knew that if he was faithful to his
calling he would receive a reward from the Lord for his service (4:2). Paul also knew that if he ignored or treated
lightly his mission he would not receive from God the victor’s crown for
service. Having seen some of his close
friends forsake their calling (see 2 Timothy 4:10), Paul recognized that the
loss of the victor’s crown was a very real possibility for any believer,
regardless of his or her standing in the Christian community. The Apostle’s overwhelming passion was to
fulfill his ministry at all costs, to stay faithful to the “fight” (9:26) to
the very end. In Paul’s last letter,
written shortly before his death, we discovered that he accomplished his goal
(see 2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Paul’s spiritual training was the very best available. Yet he did not assume that he would
automatically persevered to the end of the race. He continued to discipline himself, to fight,
and to follow his calling from God. In
doing so, Paul provided an ideal model for all Christians striving to become
champions.
~ The above is a direct quotation from
study notes in the Nelson Study Bible,
page 1926 (opposite 1 Corinthians 10).
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