Run the Race
Run to Win
I don’t usually look for prophetic words for the New Year or even make resolutions, but God gave me one this year. It came as a total surprise.
“Run the race”—the words thundered.
After the Holy Spirit spoke to me, I went to the context. As I did it only became a more roaring rhema.
Run the race is from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but [only] one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then [do it] to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Paul rhetorically asks the question: Do you not know that those who run in a race all run? We are all running whether or not we signed up. Think for a moment of all the people you have known over the years. Some stick out more than others as running well, while others sadly either quit the race or didn’t get back up when they fell; some ran not caring whether or not they would receive the prize. Hebrews 11 displays those who ran well in their day.
Are you running to win? …but one receives the prize. In human terms, only one person receives the trophy. But Paul goes on to make it clear that we can all win, if we Run in such a way that you may win.
The next two sentences are what grip me the most: Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then [do it] to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Here we are involved in a race that is for an eternal prize and most of us are probably pretty sloppy about our training program. If we want the prize we too must become self-controlled in all things. A disciplined follower of Jesus Christ. This reminds me of another scripture in 1 Peter 4:7: The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. The goal of a disciplined life is for the sake of our spiritual life.
And yet there are those who are competing for a very temporary reward and they do it with energy. They sell all out for prestige in this life—and yet, we are tired. We turn on the TV while God waits in our closet. We are so foolish.
One day we will see the Lord—live for that day!
Paul concludes with the remedy: Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air. The NKJV says “not with uncertainty.” Paul means he knows who he is in God and what he is called to do. He isn’t aimless about his day-to-day life. He has a God-given direction and is earnestly pursuing it—pursuing it with all his energy. And when I say “it” I actually mean Him, for Paul’s life determination was to know Christ (see Philippians 3).
I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
We all have choice.
Run to win!
