While
watching the Olympics, I can’t help but think about the Apostle Paul. It’s
obvious in his writings he was a big sports fan. He uses a number of sports
metaphors in while writing God’s inspired Word. As a big sports fan that
excites me even more, because that means God is a sports fan, too. :-)
Paul
writes about running a race in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. He even mixes in a boxing analogy. In these verses, he
describes what it takes to grow in our faith in Jesus Christ. As we see, it’s not a
process for lazy people. It takes hard work, commitment, and dedication, just
like Olympic athletes.
Paul
writes, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only
one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises
self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we
an imperishable. So I do not run
aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But
I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others
I myself should be disqualified.”
Like Olympians, we have to train. It's good to do physical training, but I'm referring to spiritual training - reading the Bible, praying, worshipping, telling others about Jesus, etc. This
involves self-control, running with a purpose, and discipline. The big
difference is Olympians compete for a perishable award. Winning Gold, Silver
or Bronze medals is an awesome accomplishment. Those athletes work hard and deserve
it. I think being good enough to just compete in the Olympics Is an incredible
accomplishment, even if you finish last in your event.
Our race is for an imperishable award.
It’s for eternity. Are we going to live for Jesus and inherit eternal life with
Him, or choose not to and spend eternity in Hell, which is eternal separation
from God? Like the Olympians, it’s our choice if we are going to be dedicated
and committed to win our race or kick back and watch others do it?
This is too important of a race. We
can’t be lazy. We must strive each and every day to live for Jesus and tell
others about Him. It’s going to take endurance, as Paul tells us in Hebrews
12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking
to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right
hand of the throne of God.”
It is
more than worth it to dedicate and commit our lives, all of our lives, to
Jesus. He thought we were all worth it. So much so, He willingly died a brutal
death for us. He took our penalty for our sins. Then he came back to life to
give us the ultimate victory. Now it’s up to us if we will receive it.
If you
haven’t, I implore you to receive Jesus today. Call out to Him. Ask Him to
forgive you. Repent, which means turn from sinful ways and turn to Jesus. Ask
Him to help you to overcome. I know that’s the greatest decision I’ve ever
made. I’m far from perfect, but I’m striving every day to be more like Jesus.
Come
on. Let’s do this. Let’s run this race and claim the ultimate Gold Medal.
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