Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Corinthians 9:24
As the best athletes in the world prepare for another Winter Olympic Games, attention is focused on who are the most likely to be awarded the medals. For the athletes, the medals are important, although few will actually receive one. I remember in a previous Olympics, watching the awards ceremony after Canada had defeated the United States for the women’s hockey championship. Three teams were on the ice to receive their medals, two of the teams in smiles and one team in tears. The Canadians were rejoicing over winning the gold medal. The Americans were bitterly disappointed over losing the gold medal (winning silver means losing gold). But there was a third team, from Sweden, and the Swedish women were wildly excited about winning the bronze medal. They had come to the games with little expectation, but played well enough to defeat Finland in their final game. For them, third place was a high achievement, and the medals were a wonderful surprise. A wonderful surprise also awaits the faithful Christian in the awards ceremony that is coming.
Paul refers to an earthly race, in which only one runner receives first prize for winning. The rules are different in the race that God has set before us, and the awards are given on an entirely different basis. Olympic athletes receive medals based on who was faster, higher, stronger, and more skilled. But God’s athletes will receive crowns based on faithfulness, zeal, and devotion to our Lord. And in this race, Christians are not competing against each other. In fact, the more we help others to achieve rewards, the more we will qualify for rewards ourselves. Paul’s admonition to us for this race is not to seek advantage over others, but simply to run.
God has provided us with everything we need to strive for the prize. He has set before us the goal of obtaining an eternal and incorruptible crown. He has provided us with His training manual, the Word of God, which supplies us with all the instructions and encouragement that we need to run the race well. He has given us a training schedule that includes daily prayer and Bible study, regular participation at gatherings of the Assembly, and involvement in Gospel efforts of various kinds. God has also carefully reminded us of the need to practice self-control, to prevent our fleshly lusts from interfering with the effective running of the race. Instructions are also given for obedience, that we might not be disqualified for violating the rules of the race. Amid all this is the admonition from Ecclesiastes 9:11 that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. We do not run in our own strength. Only as we humbly cast aside our strengths and rely on the Lord will we run effectively.
We cannot imagine how wonderful will be the commendation from our Lord. But we can run the race that He has set before us in joyful anticipation. -Jim MacIntosh