1 Corinthians 9:24 Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. I. THE RACE. Christian life is a race. It is no haphazard thing; it is marked off and measured; it has a starting-point and a goal. 1. The race begins at the Cross. The Christian, at his conversion, enters the racecourse, and his name is recorded and published. 2. The race ends at death. The most hopeful beginning may have a hopeless ending. A good start is of immense value; but it is not he that maketh a fine start, but "he that endureth unto the end, that shalt be saved." It does not take very long for the racer to lose all the advantage of a good start: and a life, though nobly run, if it fail in the home stretches, will be sure to miss the crown. II. THE RACERS are all who have forsaken sin, accepted Christ, and publicly entered the path of obedience. The Bible does not speak of invisible racers, but of those who are "compassed about by a great cloud of witnesses." Those Grecian athletes were in training long before the day of conflict came. But the Christian's training begins with the race. He trains in the race, and thus gains agility and skill through the turmoil of the contest. The racers — 1. Strip for the race. "Lay aside every weight." Nothing that hinders must be left on. 2. Make progress. "Run." Think how ridiculous a lounger would have appeared, hanging around the ancient stadium, professing to be a racer, but never getting out of sight of the starting-point. Dash into the race, or leave the ground. 3. Persevere. "A race." Not a little jet of speed, because one feels like it, or down street for fun. Christianity demands not only prompt action, but continuity of effort. If religion were only a thing of frames and feelings, some would soon fly to the goal, especially if the feeling held out. 4. Concentrate effort. "Run a race." Christianity harmonises all man's powers, and, with a noble obliviousness to surrounding attractions, hurls the whole man into the race. 5. Are watchful. "So run that ye may obtain." Christian activity is not a blind, haphazard thing. We are to keep our eyes about us, lest we stumble. III. THE REWARD. In the stadium, the prize, like all earthly honours, was perishable. But the Christian prize is an incorruptible crown. Proud moment, that, when the successful racer had the chaplet placed upon his brow, amid the applause of thousands. Grander moment for the Christian athlete, when amid the shouts of rejoicing myriads, the pierced hands of Jesus place upon his head the crown of glory, with the blessed words of approval: "Well done," &c. (T. Kelly.) Parallel Verses KJV: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. |
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