The Christian Race

Introduction

Comrades Marathon intrigue growing up

In the Timothy letters, Paul uses the image of a RACE to symbolise the Christian life. I knew the Bible did this, but with the help of software, I was surprised to realise how often (e.g. , , , , plus those listed below). The race image is a structural metaphor that makes several points:

1. Like athletes, Christians need to be single-minded.

Acts 20:24 NIV

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

2 Timothy 2:4–5 NIV

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

2 Timothy 2:24–25 NIV

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NIV

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. 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.

Philippians 3:12–14 NIV

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

2. Like athletes, Christians need to endure.

Like athletes, Christians need to endure.

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Hebrews 12:2 NIV

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1–2 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. Like athletes, Christians need to follow the rules.

2 Timothy 2:5 NIV

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

4. Like athletes, Christians receive their reward after the race.

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NIV

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 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.

We could see other passages that speak about the crown, such as and .

1. Like athletes, Christians need to be single-minded (; ) 2. Like athletes, Christians need to endure [suffer] (; ; ) 3. Like athletes, Christians receive their reward after the race (; cf. ;

Conclusion

For serious athletes, running is not a hobby or a past-time; it is an obsession that dominates their lives.

The Christian life cannot be lived as a past-time; Christ is our life. Paul did not do Christianity as a part of his life. Loving and serving God filled and framed every area of his life. How about us?