rawls

Running for [Your] Life

Rufus Rawls

“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 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” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NASB.

The sojourning life of a believer can be, in many ways, likened to that of a marathoner or an Olympian. The distance of a marathon is twenty-six miles, three hundred and eighty-five yards. In other to be competitive in a marathon, the discipline to train with uncompromising commitment and to follow a strict dietary regimen is a must. And given the distance of a marathon, physical conditioning and a strong mental resolve are equally important. And in the epistles of the apostle Paul, he often compared the believer’s life as a Christian to that of a race or the Olympic Games. In 490 B.C. the Greeks defeated the Persians in the Olympic Games, and the news of the victory was carried to Athens by a long-distance runner. No doubt Paul had the Olympic Games in mind when he wrote to the saints at Corinth.

In fact, our current Olympic Games are a “modified revival of the ancient Olympic Games consisting of international athletic contests that are held at separate winter and summer gatherings at four year intervals.” During the last three or four miles of long-distance races, friends would run alongside the athletes, encouraging them to continue competing for the prize. However, only one runner would receive the perishable prize or wreath.

Unlike that perishable wreath that only one person would receive at the end of the race, we as believers are in a race in which the reward of salvation is available to everyone who has accepted Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior and are pressing forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. But running for your life is not a game, but it is the marathon of marathons. Running is an action word, and the commitment to run demands a sense of urgency. And running is this race is a lifelong process. It’s not a sprint and only YOU can disqualify you. Moreover, the race for eternal life demands a strong mental resolve, spiritual stick-to-itiveness, and temperance or self-control that empowers you to recognize and to resist every alluring temptation that the devil will use in an attempt to throw you off tract or to disqualify you from winning the prize.

We too as believers need someone to run this race alongside us, to encourage us when sickness, discouragement or any type of assault from the enemy weakens our commitment to press forward. Therefore the apostle Paul reminds us of the importance of knowing that we are not in this race merely for the sake of being in it. We have a specific goal in mind and are committed to receive the prize of eternal life. Furthermore, we are not striving or competing as if we are aimlessly beating the wind or shadow boxing without ourselves. Our commitment is to not only to lead others to Christ, but to make sure that we are saved, grounded and rooted in God ourselves.

In order to maintain temperance, we must refuse to let anyone or anything deter, discourage, or dissuade us from remaining true to God through Christ Jesus. Proof of our temperance includes daily Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with God. Unlike athletes who win the perishable wreaths by devoting their lives to stringent training and sacrifice, as Christians we must be even more diligent and uncompromising in our commitment to Christ.

So, while the unconcerned are watching television or engaging in other unfruitful activities, we must continue to study, to pray, and to attend church services even when tempted not to. We must learn to trust God beyond our ability to see or to necessarily understand everything that He is doing. And when we suffer a spiritual injury or disappointment, we must rise up in faith, brush ourselves off and continue to press forward.

But running this spiritual race is not a sprint. It is a marathon. And although getting started, accepting Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior is most important, we must continue until we reach the finish line. The finish line is the rapture of the Church. Meanwhile, don’t look back, the finish line is ahead and not behind us, and our reward of eternal life is imperishable.