CHRISTIAN RACE
The London 2012 Olympic ended in August 12, 2012. About 204 National Olympics Committees participated in 26 sports made up in 302 events. In an atmosphere of friendship and yet keen competition, Sport men and women vigorously contested for honors and laurels that Apostle Paul describes as perishable crowns (1 Cor. 9:25). These crowns are earthly bound but however are great pointers to what the incorruptible crowns that are eternal and heavenly bound would be like. Each Olympic has two main groups of people: the participants and the spectators. While the Participants came to represent their countries and determined to win medals, spectators are there to watch the games and have funs for their money. They cheered and supported, distracted and criticized participants. Each Olympic Games reminds me of the Christian race – race for believers, where we are running against ourselves to determine the rewards that the Master promises: “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain neither labored in vain” (Philippians 2:16). Also “Do not worry about what you will suffer. The devil will throw some of you into jail and you will be tested and made to suffer for ten days. But if you are faithful until you die, I will reward you with a glorious life” (Revelation 2:10).
Christian race has been described as not a spectator sport but a game that demands strict adherence to the rules, diligence and rigorous engagement. It involves sacrifices – pains and bruises that feeling of victory drives away. Even though it starts with being born again and engaged in routine Church going, bible studies, prayers, fellowship and sacrificial yet willing giving. Christian race portrays a greater picture than salvation process. It entails faith to risk your life for the Lord; offers challenges that make great demands on your life and offer great rewards. The Olympic and Marathon are earthly races for perishable crowns. While in the Olympic many run and one wins the prize that is offered to all, in Marathon each person run the race for themselves and winning or loosing is totally depends on the individual runner. The Marathon is similar to Christian race; the prize is available for everyone that competes in the race. As many believers as run the race faithfully and diligently to the finished line, win the prize that God has made available for each person.
A Christian is being pictured as a runner in the race of Christian life. He/she is likened to an athlete who strives to please the Lord in his aspirant for the crown and disciplines to attain excellence. He must “lay aside every weight” that hinders performance. It could mean doing away with things that do not support or negates good performance and also eliminates comforts and luxuries that could distract and prevent full concentration on the goal. Most times we tend to carry the weight of the universe on our shoulders. We often surrender big loads/ weights to God but carry numerous minor weights that when added together is weightier than big load. Note that if Satan can’t cause you to fall back, he will at least attempt to keep you from going forward. We must “keep our focus on the Lord Jesus Christ,” the Author and Finisher of our faith. Our eyes must be fastened on Him alone throughout the duration of Christian race because He leads and makes our faith complete. Jesus is the supreme example of steadfast faith, who for the joy (crown, trophy, honor and up-liftment) that was set before Him endured the cross (daily persecutions, distractions, insults, pressures and strives). He persevered and won the race; received the crown and now seats at the right hand of the Father as the Judge and our Attorney.
The scriptures explicitly describe the Christian race as tough (not easy). It’s far from the “ice cream and butter” presentation that we hear from some new found Church’s pulpits. The race is represented as running, wrestling, warring, striving and agonizing. It is not surprising that Our Lord Jesus Christ calls that gate, straight and the path, narrow; the opposite is wide and freeway. Apostle Paul describes Christians as soldiers in fierce warfare (life) against principalities and powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places (2 Tim. 2:3; 1 Cor. 10:3; Eph. 6:12). Beware, many runners enter and run a race but only one wins the prize. Run in such a way to win it. Athletes work hard to win earthly perishable crowns but Christian race is for eternal crown, that last forever. As Olympian I fight with a goal; I do not box by beating the air but make direct my punches to my target, discipline my body (I buffet my body) and bring it to subjection (subdue it), less I lose out after I preach to others (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Running the race to the finish line (end of his earthly journey), Apostle Paul could boldly declare, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there’s laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day and not me only but unto all of them also that love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Apostle Paul compared our life on earth with that of a race. He likens life to a race that has three characteristics: i). Challenging course (ups and down, set backs and come backs); ii) has a judge – Jesus is the Judge; and iii) Has a finish line (spent in heaven or in hell). For this reason, He charged believers to, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). Also, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life…..” (1 Corinth. 3:15).
In our world view, winning the race is based on intelligence (smartness) and acquisition of wealth. In our capitalistic society, when you are rich you are considered successful. To the proponent of prosperity, the more money you give to the Church or men/women of God, the more assurance of your making the race. They believe in “money is the answer for everything” (Eccl. 10:19b). However they should be reminded that, “the gift of the unrighteous is abomination to the Lord (Proverb 15:8). You cannot serve God and money. No person who has eyes on money can truly serve God. In God’s way, the race is not to the swift (speed) or the battle to the strong ( by strength) nor the food comes to the knowledgeable (wise) or wealth to the brilliant (smart) or favor to the learned (educated) but time and chance happen to them all (Eccl. 9:11). Winning the race is based upon our effort to please (honor) the Lord (Col. 3:23). We win the race when we do our best to please the Lord – “Love the Lord with the whole of your heart, your soul, mind and strength…….love others as much as you love yourself” (Mark 12:30-31).
One thing about Christian race is that it seems to be personal as we struggle to press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil.3:14) but if we love God wholeheartedly and our neighbors as ourselves we will not want to spend eternity in heaven alone. It’s not God’s will that any of His children should perish and that is why He sent Jesus while we did not know Him to died for us and pay for our sins. He now urges those who are saved to reach out for the unsaved. We shall obey Jesus High command in Great commission when we make disciples of all nations not dwelling on disciples of Christians – saving the saved. As believers we are charged, “And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His son Jesus Christ and love one another, as he gave us commandment” (1John 3:23). Also, “Bear you one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). We are to rescue the perishing, lend helping hand to those in need, pray for and encourage one another. “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).
As I end this reflection, I shall not omit to tell us about the benefits after the race: rewards and rest. I read a quotation of Dr. H. A. Ironside that says, “There are five crowns: In corruptible crown for running the course; the crown of rejoicing for winning souls; the crown of righteousness for those who love His appearing; the crown of life for those who suffer for Christ; the crown of glory for those who feed the sheep and lambs of Christ flocks. I might lose all of those crowns and yet not lose my salvation.” Little wonder the Epistle of James say, “Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12). Also the Revelation of Jesus to Apostle John reassures, “Behold, I come soon: so hold firmly to what you have, and no one will take away the crown that you will be given as your reward” (Revelation 3:11).
Finally, The Lord Jesus shall say to each one that run the race diligently and faithfully to the finish line, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over few things, I will make you a ruler over many things; enter you into the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:23). This sweet and great salutation of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ is our challenge for the race before us.
Reach: Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill, email: weefreeministries@yahoo.com or P. O. Box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272. Web: Weefreeministries.org; Phone: 832-881-3929 ©