The Race

by DARKE, R. | Category: The Race | Nov 1955

It was noticed in a race run recently at a tremendous pace by athletes trained almost to perfection that the leader often looked behind to see where his rivals were placed. Then they came to the final stretch with the winning tape in view, and again the leader looked behind, only this time the wrong way, for around him on the other side came a rival to gain a magnificent victory.

Ponder this event with me as young men and women who are in the House of God. We are saved and have given our lives to Christ; we have been baptized as disciples and added to a church of God; we are runners, as Christians, in the race that is "set before us" (Hebrews 12.1-3). Is there anything we can learn from this great worldly contest? Yes, firstly, if we expect to stay in the great spiritual race and finish the course, we must attach supreme importance to "keeping fit" spiritually. Secondly, we must heed the warning that "looking behind," when our eyes should be on "the goal," is a sure contribution to defeat.

The apostle Paul referred to athletes when he wrote to the Corinthian saints, who, from days before their conversion, would be familiar with the Greek Olympic Games (1 Corinthians 9.24-27). In drawing spiritual lessons the apostle stresses the salient truth of contending to win.

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run, that ye may attain" (v.24).

"I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air" (v. 26).

What is the secret of the successful ones who are contending for "a corruptible crown" ? Paul gives the answer:

"And every man that striveth in the games is temperate in all things" (v.25).

In other words, the athlete shows self-control. He only exercises himself in those things that contribute to his physical fitness. He must eat well and the right kind of food; he must take plenty of rest and at the right time. At all costs he must avoid things that normally he would indulge in before he became an athlete, serious and determined on being victorious. He now lives and strives to win.

Now Paul tells us that in the Christian race "we do it to receive an incorruptible crown" (verse 25). At the time of writing this he, too, is running the same race as ourselves; he does not reach the winning post until the end of his life, when he writes to Timothy that "... the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me at that day: and not only to me ..." (2 Timothy 4.6-8).

These are heart-touching words. Oh, that they might be true of us! Let us not forget that we are running the same race, fighting the same fight, and keeping the same faith, and waiting for us is the same reward. Are we going to merit it? Determination will play a great part in our success.

DARKE, R. | Nov 1955
The Race