Running the Race of Life—Are You Running for the Ring or the Crown?
The fundamental questions for Disciples of Jesus are you running for the Ring or the Crown?
The question for Disciples of Jesus is whether you are running for the Ring or the Crown. The rings are for the Superbowl, National Championships, and State Championships. Not one person will remember your championship ring one hundred years from now. But a crown from Jesus lasts forever. In Paul’s theological masterpiece, in his letter to Corinth, he uses athletic analogies on how to run a race. Paul will make it clear that there is absolutely no work that saves us, causes our prayers to be heard, activates our forgiveness, gives us more blessings, etc. Salvation is the gift from King Jesus because of the cross; the reward is the inheritance of the kingdom. Running the Race of Life
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24
The Corinthians would have been familiar with Paul’s athletic images and Greek Olympic Games metaphors. It’s incredible how the best disciples can leverage metaphors that mirror the audiences’ experiences they are ministering to. Athletes know that self-discipline wins prizes. Unlike the athletes who competed for earthly rewards, Christians do not run the race to reach heaven since they have already been saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Only Greek citizens were permitted to compete in the games, and they were required to follow the rules in training and performance. Any athlete who broke the training rules was immediately disqualified.
Run in such a way that you may obtain it. Some translations say run to win. We must run this race to win…the stakes are high once you receive the gift of salvation. We must be that vessel. Running the race here in the world is not easy. God never promises us a nice soft landing in heaven. I was in the Army for twenty-eight years. I had three rules for my young officers. #1 Carry your own Rucksack. #2 Clean your own Weapon. #3 Don’t violate rule #3. What is Rule #3? Don’t Be Stupid! Run in such a way that you may obtain it. Your witness is your testimony; can you walk the talk? But notice what Paul says:
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 1 Corinthians 9:25
If you have the privilege of competing and fighting Satan in God's Domain, you must be temperate in all things. Not some, not a few but all! If you are a disciple of Jesus, you don’t want to be in Sin. Sin has a horrid way of getting us off track…the Gospel of Jesus changes you! Satan wants you off God’s track and running out the Devil’s track. Paul would later say in Galatians—
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh, will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit, will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8.
The righteous live lives that are holy and pure. In every issue of life, they want to do what is right. Paul insists that Christians who want to take the easy way would never get anywhere without the sternest of self-discipline. Paul was always fascinated by the picture of an athlete. An athlete must train with intensity to win his contest. Self-discipline is training to win a crown of laurel leaves that wither and die within days. How much more should the Christian be self-disciplined to win the eternal life crown? Are you running for the erring or the crown?
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing" 2 Timothy 4:8
What is impressive about this letter is that Paul continues on these athletic metaphors.
Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight not as one who beats the air. 1 Corinthians 9:26
Do you ever feel like you are fighting air or shadowboxing daily? Believers who received this letter from Paul felt weary and demotivated, but Paul encouraged them to keep moving forward in their Christian lives like a boxer in a fight. Paul is clearly stating that there is no testimony without a test! Many times, we fight ourselves in Sin, and it causes to causes us to get off the track.
Shadow Boxing is a familiar term to anyone that has grown up in the era of Rocky Balboa, in the movie Creed or the dominance of professional boxing before the emergence of MMA-style fighting. It involves only one person, literally boxing his shadow to train and strengthen the muscles for an actual fight. It has some value in preparation for physical contact, similar to practice, without actual contact with the opponent. As it relates to the spiritual battle against sin, shadowboxing has little value. Why? Because for the Christian, there never exists a time when he or she is not actively engaged in a fight against sin; therefore, any efforts spent on practice is vanity.
When Paul says, “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty? Our faith is our certainty, and the Bible has a litany of faithful warriors to prove it. Many godly men and women of the Old Testament ran the race and won. If you are having problems with your family, read about Joseph. If you think your job is too big for you, study the life of Moses. If you think God is letting Satan torcher you, read Job. If you worry about being faithful in a time of persecution for your belief, read about Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego.
If you are tempted to retaliate, see how David handled the situation when King Saul decided to take a bathroom break where David and His armed men were hiding. Look at the winners in the Bible! A Great Cloud of Witnesses! Paul would also write in Romans, For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 Whatever you believe about the Great Cloud of Witnesses. Their witness was their actions while they were on earth, which is revealed by scripture. He is telling us to look at the winners!
This crown is given to those who discipline themselves to serve Christ and win lost souls. They keep their bodies under control and keep their eyes on the goal. Run the Race for the Crown!