Race: February 1, 2013

TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2013.

RACE

DEFINITION:

Any contest or competition to achieve superiority.

SCRIPTURE:

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. I Corinthians 9:24.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Paul’s missionary journeys took him to different countries with varied cultures. When preaching the gospel he often used illustrations that related to the culture of those he was speaking to. In his letter to the Corinthians he knew the Greeks loved athletic competitions. The Olympic Games were begun by the Greeks. The illustration of running a race that Paul used in I Corinthians 9 and the analogy of running to win was well understood by the Corinthians.

In 1896 when the Olympics were revived in Athens after many years of no Olympics, the first ever marathon was run. Seventeen athletes competed and ran 40 Kilometers (24.8 miles). The race was won in 1896 by a common laborer, but winning was so significant to the Greeks that he was considered a national hero and honored as such by the King. In those days the winners of races were awarded with a crown made of leaves symbolizing victory.

We were privileged several years ago to stand on the exact location of the running of that first marathon race. Being there and seeing the site first hand helped us understand even more vividly what Paul was talking about centuries before about crowns.

All six of our children were actively involved in sports. It became very important as they grew and matured that they would improve their abilities each year with the goal of competing to win and be victorious. No matter what the sport was it demanded discipline and hard work to be prepared. Everyone involved was driven by the ultimate goal of winning and getting that championship trophy.

In I Corinthians 9:24 Paul relates the illustration of running a race to the Christian life. The Christian life requires hard work and dedication. As Christians we are not running for an earthly crown of leaves or a gold medal or to be a national hero. We are running for a heavenly reward from our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul challenges us as believers, not to just run the race but to win the race. The verse written above from verse 24 tells us to run in such a way that you may obtain an imperishable crown. Paul not only taught this but lived it out.

In II Timothy 4:7 Paul says that “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul joyfully anticipated receiving the victory crown from his King in Heaven. The victory crown received in ancient Greek games was perishable. The victory crown the Christian will receive in heaven will last forever.

Every athlete who is really motivated to win is willing to give his or her time and effort to strict training and preparation. The athlete must learn the rules and then obey them so he or she will not be disqualified. The athlete is dedicated to do whatever it takes to win and is willing to make sacrifices to be the best he or she can be.

Christians who really want to receive the victory crown that will not perish, that Paul is talking about, must be willing to also do whatever it takes. The Christian must know the rules that God has set down in order for us to live a victorious life. God’s rules are given to us in His Word and the way we can know the rules is by reading the Word.

When we understand the rules that God lays out for us then we must train ourselves to follow these rules and live by them. Spending time in studying the Bible, in praying to God, and in worshipping God is essential to being victorious in our Christian life. This requires time and effort on our part. It also requires giving up whatever keeps us from being what God wants us to be.

Paul was motivated to win the victory crown that never perishes --- eternal life. He said, “Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly.” Are you running aimlessly or are you running to win the crown that God has promised you and that will last forever. We challenge you to run for the crown of eternal life and God will honor you. In our spiritual walk we as believers, need a goal that we will strive for daily. According to these words from the Apostle Paul we should set our spiritual goals in life to win the crown that will not perish.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Hebrews 13:8.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

PRAYER:

Help me to run today a “race” that will honor and glorify Your name. Help me to challenge my family, through my words and deeds to run our daily races anticipating the crown of victory that You will give those who run a consistent life honoring You.