The Race

by Reid, A. | Category: General | Mar 1995

Major athletics events figure prominently in media coverage of sport. Detailed analysis of the performances of athletes are given by expert commentators describing the tactics used in racing and what kind of mental attitude an athlete needs to have in order to be a medal winner. Spin off programmes even describe training regimes, special diets and the self-discipline undertaken by sportsmen and women. The result of this is that even non-athletes can gain an insight into what makes a top performer.

Many of the qualities and attributes of the athlete can be applied in an illustrative way to the Christian life and indeed are applied in a number of places in Scripture. The writings of Paul in particular contain allusions to

running and racing as a helpful analogy about Christian life.

Before a race a runner knows exactly what distance must be covered, and the first objective must be to complete the course. We some-times see or bear of generous applause being given for a gallant effort when a runner may not have won the event, but a determined effort to finish the distance brings warm appreciation from the spectators. Paul viewed his life of service as a course or race that must at all cost be finished and he exhorts others to think the same way (Acts 20:24; 2 Tim. 4:7). In the two scriptures just cited we see that the apostle saw at least two things as being important to the completing of his race or task. One was: 'Testifying to the gospel of God's grace'. The other was: keeping the faith. Paul viewed these things as a life-long responsibility; he would only consider himself as having crossed the finishing line when he had entered his Master's presence. If we wish to hear the warm applause in the form of our Lord's approval, then we should make it a life-long aim to testify to the gospel and keep the faith.

In the ancient games, athletes who won the races received a crown of laurel leaves and with it went the honour of being considered a person of outstanding physical prowess and celebrated as such by fellow citizens. Fame and renown were their reward and the motivation to strive to win. In modern athletics large amounts of money can be made by top performers, no doubt sharpening their desire to achieve victory. So what can the Christian look for at the end of his or her life that makes all the effort of striving in service worthwhile? The prize the believer strains after is far greater in value than even the vast sums gained by modern sports stars. The apostle Paul put this thought into words: 'They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever' (1 Cor. 9:25). We are given a good clue as to what that crown or prize is: a crown of righteousness awarded by the Lord Himself, not only to great men like Paul, but to all who have longed for the Lord's appearing (2 Tim. 4:8). An everlasting symbol of achievement and honour, worthy of the greatest endeavour.

Today, as in ancient times, no athlete would be thought of as having won, anything unless the victory was gained in competition with others. What merit is there in a walk-over? Victory gained against strenuous opposition is the essence of competition. Unlike sportsmen and women, Christians do not compete against each other, but none-the-less there is serious opposition to completing the course of the disciple's life of service. The trials and difficulties of life, disappointment, doubt and giving way to sin, can all affect our progress: so can the opposition of the great Adversary himself. Runners in a race aim to obtain a smooth rhythmic stride pattern to carry them to the finishing line, but if that pattern is disturbed by another competitor jostling or cutting across, then ground is lost until the smooth rhythm is re-established. False teaching is just such an impediment. Paul asks the erring Galatians, who had been running a good race: 'Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?' (Gal. 5:7). They had a need to re-establish their regular pattern of obedience to the Word of God rather than the fancies of false teachers if they were to finish well.

Can you imagine runners in a race deliberately handicapping themselves by wearing heavier and more cumbersome equipment than other competitors? Today athletes take care to have the lightest most aerodynamic equipment possible, so as not to be at a disadvantage. Likewise it is foolish to allow our lives to become cluttered with unnecessary things that slow down progress in spiritual service. Christians of New Testament times were exhorted to: 'Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us' (Heb. 12:1). Whatever the extra weight was in the spiritual sense, it had begun to slow their progress and

they were beginning to slacken off in their regular assembly service (Heb.

10:25). Are you beginning to lose your zeal for the assembly gatherings?

Perhaps you need to look at what extra weight is slowing your progress.

If top sports stars were asked what made a successful athlete, they would probably reply 'Strict self-discipline in training and a single-minded attitude when competing'. These too are essential ingredients in the spiritual sphere. Paul says: 'Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training' (1 Cor. 9:25). Training is a matter of self-discipline and in spiritual things the self-discipline of daily prayer and scripture reading are most important. To make the most of what we have gained through spiritual discipline, we must strive in our spiritual service with' singleness of mind. Paul gives us an insight into his own single-mindedness when he says: 'Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards' (Phil. 3:13,14). We may not be in the same league as the apostle when it comes to spiritual service, but we can at least try to follow his example.

All scriptural quotations are from the New International Version.

Reid, A. | Mar 1995
General