Run to Win
The Summer Olympics begin in Paris, France, just three short weeks from now. Athletes from all over the world will be competing in the summer games. These athletes have been training, some of them all of their lives, in order to compete in these Olympic games. These athletes aren’t competing merely for the fun of it. Each and every athlete has been diligently working hard and preparing in such a way that they will win. They know that attention to every detail of their training and lifestyle is essential if they expect to win. So, they have dedicated themselves to being self-disciplined in all areas of their lives, all with the anticipation of winning and standing on the awards podium to receive their medal and to be recognized for their athletic achievements.
The Apostle Paul understood this kind of athletic dedication, and he used sports metaphors throughout his letters, borrowing from the culture of his day in order to make a spiritual point and draw practical life applications. Paul frequently compared the Christian life of faith to that of a runner competing in a race. For example, in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, he says:
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - NASB)
Paul’s point was that in the Grecian games, the winners who stood on the béma to receive their reward were disciplined in all areas of their lives. They were not lazy or out of shape. If an athlete intended to win, it required rigid personal discipline and extensive training, prior to the contest. Successful athletes don't just decide to get up one morning and run a marathon. (I think Pastor Jeff has mentioned that he tried that once and it didn’t work out so well for him….). No, successful athletes practice, practice, practice. They train, they watch their diet, they monitor their heart rate, and they make sure they're fit and ready to compete. This kind of dedication means daily sacrifice, exercise, and rigorous endurance training.
Well, in the same way Paul is calling the Christian to live a disciplined life of faith. Paul compares the rigid discipline of an athlete to the dedication and determination needed in the Christian’s life. The Christian must work hard and exercise self-control if they expect to be successful and found to be a trustworthy steward (1 Cor. 4:2).
Let’s be honest; it takes discipline to control the self doesn’t it. Fighting against temptations and indwelling sin can be difficult. I find it encouraging to know that the Apostle Paul struggled against temptation and indwelling sin just as you and I do. Paul says he had to discipline his body and keep it under control (v.27). He metaphorically says that he had to beat his body to make it subject to his will. The term that Paul used to describe the intensity of this self-discipline was like beating his flesh until it was bruised black and blue.
Sometimes fighting indwelling sin seems like a fight to the death. But Paul knew that constantly addressing areas of sin and amputating areas of idleness in his spiritual race was essential for successful Christian living, and that regularly assessing his motives was necessary so that he would not be running aimlessly, but running in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. And it's the same for us.
If self-control was essential for the athlete who strives for a perishable laurel wreath, something that soon would be thrown out onto the compost heap, how much more is it necessary for you and I who are striving for the imperishable everlasting crown?
We must strive daily to keep our life under the strictest discipline. This means setting aside all of the things in this life—the allurements of the flesh—that hinder and entangle us in our spiritual race (Heb. 12:1-2). The Christian life should be lived with the dedication and determination of an Olympic athlete. This means discipline, training, hard work and effort, sacrifice, and a tenacious internal resolve to reach your progressive sanctification goals.
Saying yes to this Christ-pleasing image-renewing goal means saying no to many other things. Things that weigh you down. Perhaps even good things.
“A thing may be morally neutral and yet the desire for that thing may be dangerous.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Over time, a relentless pursuit of this ambition will produce endurance, perseverance, proven character, hope, and one day, reward at the béma.
The anticipation of this future reward motivated Paul in his faithful service to the Lord. Paul knew that Jesus—the dignified judge—is on His béma, observing and watching him as he ran his spiritual race. That was a daily encouragement for Paul to keep pressing on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). Paul encourages us to have the same mindset and urges us all to run in a way that we would win. So, this week, visualize Paul as your spiritual life coach, running alongside you as you run your race, shouting, “You run to win!”
As you dedicate yourself to be self-disciplined and self-controlled in all areas of your life, you too can look forward with anticipation of winning and standing on the heavenly awards podium-the béma --to receive your reward from the King.
Dan Brewer