October 2005 - On His Wheel

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.

Comments

[SportsPlus]

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[true to self]

I've been reading your "On the Wheel" for some time without comment or response, and your October has a statement that says, " Sin disqualifies a Christian from the race". And, I am wondering if you can provide any scriptural reference to back this statement up??? The last time I read my Bible or heard a sermon on sin, it plainly states "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." With this verse in mind, wouldn't that mean that EVERYONE in disqualified??? If this is the case, then why are you here? It would be comments like your's that made Muhatma Ghandy make his comment, "If it wasn't for Christians, I would have become one". Thanks...

[teamx4j]

true to self,

Thanks for your comments and I'm glad that you reflect on what you read instead of just accepting at face value. The "race" referred to is the same as Paul refers to in 1 Cor 9:24-27. This devotional brings to light how sin disqualifies the Christian from running his or her race for God, which is also your "life" or "ministry" for God. As Paul states, we must "run in such a way as to get the prize." This means to try not to allow sin into our lives, which sin, in fact, separates us from God, hence the need for an ultimate sacrifice or Savior, as is the purpose of Jesus Christ. Sin is "breaking the rules" and when we break rules we get disqualified from a race (2 Tim 2:5 NIV). You are right when you say that we are all initially disqualified (that is, without accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and asking and acknowledging His Power of forgiveness). The devotional is aimed at both Christians, who can get "off-track" or disqualified from a race by sin and for the unsaved who are disqualified because they have no salvation. Because we all have and still do sin (present company included) we need to be able to enter (or re-enter)the race at any time through Christ's forgiveness - then we are purified and back in the game! Thanks again for your comments, please continue to read and challenge us. God Bless You.