The Christian life is described for us as a race. In a race, there is always this competitive spirit, but the competition of the Christian life is very different from that of an athletic race in two important ways. Firstly, we are not to compete against other Christians, trying to outdo one another in our services or righteousness. It is a race of faith, and even then, we are not competing with each other in our faith. Our fight is against Satan and his evil world system, and our own sinfulness. Secondly, our strength to run the race is not in ourselves, but in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the preceding verses, the Apostle Paul was speaking about the willingness to give up one’s right. In running the Christian race, one has to exercise self-discipline to be willing to give his right in order to run well and win. Using a sporting illustration, Paul was teaching how the Christian could and should run the race faithfully.
I. Run to win
1 Corinthians 9:24, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
The word run is used three times in this verse. Run is a metaphor for Christian living. There is a particular course planned by the Almighty God for each and every believer to run. We are all running the Christian race, but our “terrains” as in the circumstances and challenges we face may be different. Some terrains are relatively straight, others have lots of turns here and there, yet others seem to be uphill all the way. God knows what kind of terrains will be best for us, to make us more and more like our Saviour. Thus, He designs that particular course especially for us to run!
The Christian race is not a 100 metres sprint; it is a marathon that lasts a lifetime. Some new believers are very zealous and enthusiastic when they first come to know the Lord. They would be serving in almost every ministry, attending all the spiritual programs, but soon that zeal starts to wear off and problems begin to arise, and they lose their enthusiasm and confidence. They can still be doing what they have always been doing but with no more passion or excitement. Nothing is worse than running the race but with no desire to win!
Dear friend, the moment you became a Christian, you have entered into the race, and you are running just like all the rest of the believers. But simply participating in a race is not enough; you have to run to win. To run the Christian race without the desire to win is unacceptable to God!
I knew of someone who loves to run marathons. Some years ago, she showed me a T-shirt and a certificate to prove that she had completed a 42 km marathon. I knew it was an amazing accomplishment to complete the full marathon, but my mentality about entering into a race was to win a medal or trophy. The person was surprised and she said, “You think it is so easy? It is already a great achievement if you can participate and complete the full marathon.” I understood there and then that she had entered the competition, not to win, but simply as a participant.
Indeed, some people think that coming to church once a week, or attending the prayer meeting once in a while, or participating in the fellowship meeting whenever they are free, or answering a couple of questions in the DHW classes, is enough. It is not enough! They need to show a level of seriousness, commitment and the desire not to just run but to win the race triumphantly.
Paul was not talking about winning against others, but about the manner in which one runs and the attitude one has toward living the Christian life. Does one run to win, or does he run just simply to complete the race?
People who enter into the marathon to win, they would be training seriously, and even the people around them would know they are training to win the marathon. The neighbours would say, “There he goes again. He must be training for the marathon. He is so committed to training because he really wants to win.” That is how people should see us as Christians; always committed to the Lord’s work and serious about living for Christ. Perhaps, when they look at our lives, they would be saying, “There he goes again. He is evangelizing for Christ again. He is running here and there serving God and encouraging the believers. He is going for missions-trip again.” That is the kind of race we should run. Running to win! Do people see that in our lives?
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
(To be continued in our next pastoral chat)
1 CORINTHIANS 9Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 1)Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 1)1 Corinthians 9:1-6Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 2)Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 2)1 Corinthians 9:7-11Having To Pay To Hear The Gospel?Having To Pay To Hear The Gospel?1 Corinthians 9:15-19All Things To All MenAll Things To All Men1 Corinthians 9:19-23How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 1)How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 1)1 Corinthians 9:24How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 2)How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 2)1 Corinthians 9:25a