The Christian Race
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth
the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the
mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible
crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Cor. 9:24, 25.
Here Paul makes a sharp contrast, to put to shame the feeble efforts of
professed Christians who plead for their selfish indulgences, and refuse to
place themselves by self-denial and strictly temperate habits in a position
that they will make a success of overcoming. All who entered the list in the
public games were animated and excited by the hope of a prize if they were
successful. In like manner a prize is held out before the Christian, the
reward of faithfulness to the end of the race. . . . All ran in the race,
but only one received the prize. The other strugglers for the perishable
laurel wreath, however thorough their preparation, however earnest and
determined their efforts, were doomed to failure. It is not so with the
Christian race. . . . The weakest saint as well as the strongest may obtain
the crown of immortal glory if he is thoroughly in earnest and will submit
to privation and loss for Christ's sake. . . .
If we create unnatural appetites and indulge them in any degree we
violate nature's laws, and enfeebled physical, mental, and mortal conditions
will result. We are hence unfitted for that persevering, energetic, and
hopeful effort which we might have made had we been true to nature's laws.
If we injure a single organ of the body we rob God of the service we might
render to Him.
The apostle calls our attention to the care and diligence which were
required to secure the victory in these ancient games. He exhorts all who
start in the Christian race to give all diligence to make success certain,
while he presents before them for their encouragement the crown of glory
which the righteous Judge will award to all who are faithful to the end of
the race. . . . This crown is not a perishable chaplet of flowers, but the
glorious crown of everlasting life, which awaits all who, having completed
the Christian race, love the appearing of our Lord.
>From That I May Know Him - Page 315
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