|
“RUN THE RACE” When you think of running a race you may picture amateur or professional athletes on a track or field, students on schoolyard break, kids playing at home in the backyard, marathons, the Olympic games, or recruits trying to make it through basic training. Perhaps some of you think about jogging, which strengthens our muscles and hearts and helps to keep our weight under control. Running is good, healthy exercise. Today, being Super Bowl Sunday, many of you may be picturing a packed stadium with men in uniforms running up and down a perfectly manicured football field. Are you thinking, “Pastor, don’t preach long today?” Don’t worry, I won’t. Physical running is not what Paul had in mind when he wrote the First Letter to the Church at Corinth, which was located in the province of Greece. He used running as an illustration to make his message relevant to their daily lives. Paul was the founding pastor of the church. Like any good coach, he wanted to help them win. His point: Christians are runners in a spiritual race. Here’s how to make it to the finish line. In Greece and Rome, Olympic games and Isthmian games were extremely popular, as popular as sports are today. Historical records show that the Isthmian games had just been completed in Corinth less than a year before Paul wrote this letter. While the games were fresh in everyone’s minds, Paul used them to illustrate the spiritual journey that leads to God’s kingdom. He reminds them that every athlete who competes in a race does not win; some are even disqualified. He admonishes them to run the Christian race to win. Every Christian has a race. The way to win is to persevere and exercise self-control in daily living: nurture loving relationships at home, school, work, out in the community, everywhere. He says athletes discipline themselves to win a wreath –- a crown of leaves that will wither and die; but the reward for finishing the spiritual race is a wreath or crown that cannot perish. This is a metaphor for eternal life. In Revelation 2:10 Jesus told the Church at Ephesus, “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.” We don’t run our spiritual race without purpose. We have a goal in mind, don’t we? Paul also mentions boxing, another popular sport of the day. He speaks against the futility of shadowboxing — fighting against a make-believe opponent. Our enemy is real — evil, injustice, poverty, greed, ALL other sin. Paul encourages the early Christians to be faithful fighters who train every day by loving God and loving one another. Daily training means praying and reading the Bible, then living and sharing what we learn. Paul says true champions practice and share the gospel. He reminds them of athletes who try out for the sporting games but are disqualified by the judge because they aren’t in good shape. Are you in good spiritual shape? Paul wants to cross the finish line, and he wants to bring others along also. How about you? Receive the crown of eternal life that God, the righteous judge, will give to those who are faithful. In Galatians 5:7, Paul asked, “You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?” We don’t want to hear that. |