1 Corinthians 9:24-27 [We Are Runners in a Race]

[Things to Meditate On]

1. The passage above compares the saints to runners in a race. It teaches us how difficult it is to obtain the prize, and how intense the race is. Based on the passage above, it would be good for us to compare actual runners in an athletic race with spiritual runners in the race of faith.

2. As the passage above says, the life of faith is like a race in which one must run with purpose and zeal. Nevertheless, if our faith is not running toward the goal with all our strength, but is instead weak and powerless, or wandering here and there, what may be the cause? What may be lacking?

3. In order for us, as runners, to run with zeal in the race of faith, we must surely believe that there is a "reward" (Heb. 11:6). Just as the honor and prize money of a gold medal in a great international competition such as the Olympics cause athletes to devote themselves to training day and night, if we come to know and believe through the Bible how great the reward is that we will receive from God, then we will be able to run with all our hearts without delay. This is because the reward that comes from God is a great and good reward that is eternally incorruptible, incomparable to the perishable rewards of the flesh (v. 25).

Hebrews 11:6, 24-26, 35 "6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;... 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 35...and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:"

Matthew 19:27-29 "27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

[Decision and Application]

Just as runners in a race do not run without direction, and one who fights does not try to beat the air (v. 26), faith must have a clear "purpose." We must clearly know through the word why and for what we are running. If the purpose becomes unclear, our faith cannot help but become powerless, lazy, and without zeal. The apostle Paul said that only one receives the prize (v. 24). This does not mean that only one person will receive the prize, but that it is difficult to obtain the prize unless one runs with that much earnestness. It is a word urging us to stir ourselves up. Therefore, we must remember that now is not the time to be powerless and lazy, but rather the time to run the race of faith with zeal.

2 Chronicles 15:7 "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded."

The reward God will give us is a reward that will never perish (v. 25). Because it cannot even be compared with the things of this world, the apostle Paul also said that he kept under his body and brought it into subjection (v. 27). Therefore, we too must now be temperate in all things in order to obtain this precious reward (v. 25), fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12), and run with zeal to the end the race of faith that is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1-2 "1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

2 Timothy 4:7-8 "7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Amen.