Competing
According to the Rules
To compete in a race or game, the athlete must know the
rules of the event. A football player
who intercepts a fumble and then runs the ball all the way across the field for
a touchdown has wasted his time if he scores for the opposing team. He has not only wasted his time but also
receives no prize. Paul wrote, in 2 Timothy 2:5, “Similarly, if anyone competes
as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes
according to the rules.” The prize is
the goal for which he strives, the motivation for all of his training.
The first rule in running the race of the Christian life is
settling in each person’s heart the issue of salvation through Jesus Christ
alone. Romans 10:9, tells us, “That if
you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This act of faith puts a person into the game and on the right
course. Without first settling this
issue, no one can begin the race.
The next rule is setting an example for believers and
unbelievers in life. Jesus set the
ultimate example for us through His lifestyle. In Philippians 2:7, Paul writes, “[Jesus] made himself nothing, taking
the very nature of a servant.” Christians are called to serve people and to put others’ needs above our
own.
Faith is also important when running the Christian
race. Hebrews 11:6, reads, “And without
faith it is impossible to please God.” A pastor in a sermon described FAITH as an acronym: Forsaking All, I Trust Him.
Christians must also set an example for believers and
unbelievers in purity. Paul writes, in
2 Corinthians 7:1, “Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates
body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” Sin disqualifies a Christian from the
race.
The most important rule in the Christian life is to love
without fail. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5,
paints a beautiful picture of love, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is
not proud. It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” Without love, our words are no more than a
clanging cymbal.
Each Christian has a race to run. The race is the Christian’s life calling given by God, and the
ultimate prize is heaven. Living the
Christian life is not always easy. However, the prize will make the effort worthwhile.
Congratulations to Bobby Berryman for running and finishing the Chicago Marathon! You did great, Bobby! "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31)."
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