The Race For Eternal Life
We sometimes refer to daily living as our "rat race". As we consider
the scriptures, we are faced with the reality that we are definitely in a race
of some sorts. We also come to learn that our performance in this race does
affect others in various ways. Many schools have teams for track and field.
As the individual members compete for prizes, their performances also help the
team as a whole to gain a victory over the games. The better the individual
members perform, the better the team has a chance of winning the team trophy.
The apostle Paul used the analogy of a physical race to make some points about
our race in this life. So using Paul's analogies and other writers of the New
Testament, let us look at some points to consider that we should be mindful
of in running our race.
Everyone is in this race. Most people are not aware of the fact that they are
involved in a race for eternal life. As a result, they make no effort to obtain
the prize of eternal life. The few who do realize they are in this race often
times need to be reminded of what they are competing for. The goal of eternal
life is not going to be handed to us just because our Lord died on the cross
to make it possible, but we much each know that we have to make an effort to
win the prize. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul speaks that all in a race run, but
only one will win the prize. Paul encourages the Christians to run their race
so as to win. In our current PC world, they give trophies for just competing.
As a result, the participants do not care who wins because everyone goes home
with a ribbon or a trophy. That does not happen in real life, and it certainly
does not happen in our spiritual lives. Competition is the name of reality in
our world, and we must work hard to win.
We must prepare ourselves to win. Paul goes on to say in the next verse (25)
that we must exercise self-control in all things. Anyone who has competed in
track and field, or for that matter, any competitive sport, knows that winners
prepare themselves with proper training, diet, sleep, and mental preparedness.
In our spiritual race, we must be prepared with a steady diet of God's word,
we must prepare ourselves for service in God's kingdom, we must make that mental
preparation so that we can perform when called upon (1 Peter 3:15), and we must
make every effort to be what God wants us to be (2 Peter 1:5-11). This does
not happen by chance or luck. It will only happen for those who prepare themselves.
Someone once said: "Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people".
How true that is.
We compete according to the rules. Paul makes this point in 2 Timothy 2:5. One
does not win unless they compete according to the rules. Running out of your
lane to gain an advantage is frowned upon. Starting early is not tolerated.
Doping with drugs to give oneself an advantage is punishable. Cheating is a
big no-no in this sport. Yet many do not like to live according to the rules.
That is why our prisons are full and why we need to build more. Most people
do not like to live according to God's rules. They will find out one day just
how futile their life has been. The rulebook for us is God's word. As long as
we follow God's rules and compete according to His rules, we will gain a prize
that is eternal instead of a temporal prize.
We must run with endurance. The Hebrews writer tells us to run the race with
endurance (Hebrews 12:1). This race is not a short sprint or even a cross-country
event. This race will continue until we draw our last breath. It takes a lot
of dedication and effort to build up endurance. As long as we keep in our mind
the ultimate goal, we can do it. If we fail to plan and keep our endurance,
we will pay the price with our very souls.
We need to focus on the goal. Every race has a finish line. First we have to
know what our goal is. We have to follow the rules in order to qualify for the
prize. And we need to keep that goal as our focus from the moment we begin training
through and until we run that actual race. The Hebrews writer speaks of our
goal and the subject of our focus. He says "keeping your gaze on Jesus"
(Hebrews 12:2).
One final point. As we understand in life that a race has only one winner, we
also must realize that everyone who participates in a winner in some form or
fashion. As Christians, while we compete for the goal of reaching heaven, we
must also realize the best way to get there is to help others get there as well.
I am sure we all have seen the commercial about the race being run by special
needs children where one falls down, and the others stop to help the fallen.
Then they go hand in hand towards the finish line. That is how a Christian is
going to win the prize of eternal life. So keep putting forth the effort, abide
by the rules, give it your best effort, and help someone along so that they
might win the prize as well.
By Carey Scott
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