“Run The Race With Purpose”

         The Christian life is similar to a race. Like athletes, Christians must prepare for the race, exercise self-discipline, and run with the intent to win. The ongoing preparation includes exercising the discipline of prayer, Bible study, and worship to equip Christians to run without giving up, or losing stamina.

         Apostle Paul compared the Christian life to a race, and probably did so because athletic events were popular during his time. In ancient Greece Corinthian games were celebrated every two years, and people attended from all over Greece and from distant countries. The events of these games, consisting of running, leaping, boxing, wrestling, and throwing the discus, were exercises in which the rewards were only a crown made of leaves of some plant, or the bough of some tree.

         In I Corinthians 9:24 Apostle Paul says, “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” Apostle Paul's words to the Corinthians also speak to today's Christian. In comparing believers to athletes, he did not mean that the believers were all running against each other with only one actually winning the race. Instead, Apostle Paul wanted every believer to run in such a way as to win. In other words, every believer should put forth the kind of effort for the incorruptible reward that an athlete exerts to merely win a wreath--a crown of leaves. Athletes practice strict self-control and self-denial so as to win a prize that will fade away. Believers should more willingly practice self-control and self denial to bring others to Christ while running toward an eternal prize. The truth of the matter is believers have already won because Jesus sacrificed His life for us on the cross. Believers should live for God with more enthusiasm and dedication than the commitment and dedication that runners contributed to games in ancient Greece.

         2 Tim 2:5 Apostle Paul states that “If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.” In the Grecian games whoever won the foot race was to observe the laws of the race --keeping within the white line which marked out the path or compass in which they ran. And so the believer should do the same, keeping to the narrow path, by obeying God's word.

         How should the believer run the race? Apostle Paul gives us a clear answer in I Corinthians 9:26. “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches”. Paul did not run the race aimlessly. Instead, he kept his eyes focused on the goal, running straight for it, with purpose in every step. He did not allow himself to be sidetracked, nor was he slothful. Apostle Paul lived his words, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

         We too must know our goal, and let nothing deter us from obtaining it. Our goal is to be like Jesus. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1) Do not be content standing on the sidelines near the race, or observing as a spectator from the grandstand. If you have not done so, now is the time to get into the race. Ask Jesus to come into your life, and to forgive you of your sins. Trust Him to coach you every step of the way. Since we did not select the course, we do not run for ourselves. It is God who marked it out before us; therefore, believers should run for Christ, keeping our eyes on Jesus -- the one who stands at the finish line.