Rules for the Race: Running to Win!

1 Cor 9:24-27 “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. 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. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

In this 1st letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes with the intention of setting thing in order. He’s received reports of some concerning issues and, with love and patience, he admonishes this growing ministry to focus on the things thst matter most. There are two metaphors that are prominent in Paul’s teaching: war, and athletic competion- specifically, running a race.

Understanding the Metaphor

The intention of a metaphor is to provide clarity about one thing (a concept or principle) by comparing it to another thing, one which we are more familiar with, that possesses similar traits that are found in the the thing we wish to understand better. So in what ways is the life of a Christian comparable to a race?

Both have a beginning and an end. It is important to under the finite nature of our corporial existence, as well as the finite nature of all of our experiences- both good and bad. Being mindful of the brevity of good things helps us to appreciate them; and knowing that even the worse experiences in life have a time limit helps us to hold onto hope & endure. It all has a start, and it all has an ending. What we do in between those two point in time have great significance.

Both are governed by rules; obey them and you will succeed- disobey them and there will be consequences- upto and including disqualification. I have often used the analogy of the owners manual in our cars. No matter the make, model or similarity to other vehicles, the manufacturer will most certainly provide instructions on the optimal operation of their vehicle. After all, they made it! They know its limits, and precisely what it was designed to do. Our Maker still hold the patent of humanity- His “Image Bearers”, and He will never relinquish His rights to His creation. Like the car manufacturer, our God also left an instruction manual- His law, written on our hearts and His written Word. Many years ago, it summed up in an acronym:

B.I.B.L.E.:

Basic

Instructions

Before

Leaving

Earth

3. Both conclude with a reward. The runners efforts & deeds. While it was the act of Christ’s atoning death that secured our salvation- our actions also matter. They determine how much honor we bring to the Lord’s Name, and how effective our witness is. God forbid that after having received grace that we didn’t deserve, that we should become a deterrent for the lost through or actions…or lack thereof.

Limitations of Metaphors

We must be careful not to confuse a metaphor with what it was meant to clarify. For example, runners comptete against each other for a prize; Christians do not. Neither is the world our competition. We race for the prize, and for the honor of Him who called us to compete in this race!

Having clarified this method of teaching, what can we learn about successful Christian living through Paul’s metaphor? How can we run this race…and win?

Train to win. 1 Cor 9:25a “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.” All races are essentially won- or lost- before they even begin. What do I mean by this? serious runner understand that you can’t just show up the day of the race then start running and expect to win. Even with natural talent and strength, without preparation you are planning to fail. For the Christian, we must discipline ourselves- self control, submission to God’s instructions- our coach & trainer- is essential for us to be victorious.

Carry Only What You Need to Win. Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Phil 3:13-14 “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” When runners are training, they push themselves to the limit; they run to develop stamina, they carry weights to strenthen their muscles. But when it’s time for the race, they lay aside as much weight as possible- they even wear light clothing and shoes. They do everythnig possible to reduce drag/wind resistance- the race is going to be hard enough without carrying anything that will weight them down. Unconfessed & unrepentant sin in the life of the believer is a weight we were not meant to carry. It’s time to practice the “art of letting go”. Place it on the altar, and walk away- this is what repentance literally means, “to turn & walk away.” And once you have truly let go of your sin, then choose to forget. In Paul’s letter to the church in Phillipi, he’s not saying that he’s erased his past; he’s saying that he simply refuses to dwell on what Christ has freed him from- he refuses to let the past mistakes rent space in his head. Every long distance runner has experienced fatugue- when your body tries to tell you, “That’s it- we can’t go any further.” At that point, they must make a decision: listen to your body, or tell it what to do. Some of our past struggles are like squatters…it may take smoe time to kick them out, and when you lock the door, they look for an open window. Keep evicting them!

Focus on Jesus to win. Hebrews 12:2a “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” Another method used by runners is to focus on what’s directly in front of them. If they’re running with a companion, they can motivate each other, but most often it is the runner’s individual ability to focus on the hill ahead, or the mile marker approaching, that allows them to endure to the end. They don’t focus on the entire 25 miles; they simply focus on each mile, ome at a time. Through every season of life, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We must keep pace with Him, and make sure we are never too far behind. It is not always our challenges that cause us to fall behind; in many instances, its the “good things” (by our definition) that distract us…and slow us down. And when we look up from our distraction- Jesus is out of view. Not because He left us…but because we strayed away from Him.

By Faith We Win. 2 Tim 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 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.” I end on this point, because I want to be careful not to leave you with the impression that you can be saved by your works. Today we will partake in a reminder of what Christ alone did to secure our salvation.

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”

But James brings us all into account with his statement:

Jas 2:18 “But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.””

Let’s run…and run to win!