Ken Lovelace Ministries


F a i t h M a t t e r s with Dr. Ken Lovelace Emphasis: Perseverance Press On...Win the Prize This race called the marathon began almost 2,500 years ago when a Greek soldier, Pheidippedes, was dispatched to run to Athens with news of victory from the battle of Marathon. After running through the night, he delivered the news just before collapsing dead from overexertion. Instantly, Pheidippedes became a national hero, a symbol of patriotism and dedication. Thus the "marathon" was born. Perhaps the most dramatic scene in sports is the marathoner's last lap at the end of a grueling 26-mile race. As the fatigued figure presses to the finish line, the crowd in the Olympic stadium cheers him on. Straining every muscle, the runner pushes through the tape and, before a watching world, is awarded the prize. Drawing from this athletic imagery, the apostle Paul compared the Christian life to a grueling marathon, an event well-known to first-century Christians. Writing to Corinthian believers who lived only ten miles from the famous Isthmian games, he challenged them not merely to enter the race of faith, but to go "all out" and run so as to win. God wants winners! In our present sports-crazed society, perhaps no biblical metaphor better illustrates the reality of living for Christ. What are the keys to victory? 1. Determination - In verse 24 we read: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." One can't win a marathon with halfhearted effort. The runner must have a will to win, a strong resolve. It isn't enough to be in the Christian race. Rather, once entered, we must take our spiritual life seriously, pushing ourselves to the limit, and being deeply committed. This is not speaking of salvation or earning entrance into the race; it is calling us to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to win the victor's crown at the end. The most coveted prize of the Roman Empire was the stephanos, the laurel-like wreath placed on the head of the champion. Made of leafy greenery, the victor's crown brought instant fame, tax-exemption, and free education. Calling for our total commitment, the apostle Paul writes, "They do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown" (v. 25b). If a marathoner would be so dedicated just to win a withering leafy wreath and short-lived fame, how much more ought we to be determined to gain the eternal, imperishable crown? 2. Discipline - Verse 25a reads: "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training." In the ancient games, victory depended on the athlete's rigorous training. Every runner entered strict training under the watchful eye of an official. Marathon runners were known to work out for years -- lifting weights, running laps, regulating sleep, restricting their diet. Self-control means we must exercise mastery over our lives, foregoing some pleasures while pursuing other disciplines, all for the sake of winning. We must be committed to the basic spiritual disciplines of the Christian life -- Bible study, prayer, and meditation (see 1 Tim. 4:7-8). But we must have the same commitment to throw aside the sin that so easily entangles us. The writer of Hebrews said it best: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (12:1). This discipline, then, requires a commitment to do the good things and not to do the bad things. 3. Direction - I love verse 26: "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air." The marathon course was clearly marked, winding through the landscape, and the runner needed to stay on course, his eyes on the goal. Paul said that he wasn't running aimlessly or uncertainly, without a goal. The divinely designed track of God's will is clearly marked by His Word. It is a narrow path that includes every aspect of our lives. Winning the prize requires seeking direction from Scripture and following the course it requires. 4. Denial - Paul wrote this in verse 27: "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." Athletes had to give up certain comforts and to "punish" their bodies, foregoing a life of ease and bodily impulses. The same self-denial is necessary for the Christian. After making that point in verse 27, Paul shifted metaphors from running to boxing, saying that we must beat our bodies, wielding a series of knockout punches to fleshly desires. We must resist temptations, mortify sensual lusts that would defeat us, and remain pure. Even Paul feared that having preached to others, he would be disqualified, referring not to the loss of salvation but of reward. Conclusion After the race, every runner was brought to stand before the raised, wooden platform in the middle of the track that supported a throne-like seat for the judge. Each athlete would be crowned, passed over, or disqualified. So it will be for us as believers in Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). Every step of the Christian life has eternal importance. Right now counts forever! Let us run with growing anticipation of that moment when we will stand before Christ, and let us work hard, daily, so as to be crowned, not disqualified! Copyright © 2009. Faith Matters by Dr. Ken Lovelace. All rights reserved. KDT061509

F a i t h M a t t e r s
with Dr. Ken Lovelace
Emphasis: Perseverance

Press On...Win the Prize

This race called the marathon began almost 2,500 years ago when a Greek soldier, Pheidippedes, was dispatched to run to Athens with news of victory from the battle of Marathon. After running through the night, he delivered the news just before collapsing dead from overexertion. Instantly, Pheidippedes became a national hero, a symbol of patriotism and dedication. Thus the "marathon" was born.

Perhaps the most dramatic scene in sports is the marathoner's last lap at the end of a grueling 26-mile race. As the fatigued figure presses to the finish line, the crowd in the Olympic stadium cheers him on. Straining every muscle, the runner pushes through the tape and, before a watching world, is awarded the prize.

Drawing from this athletic imagery, the apostle Paul compared the Christian life to a grueling marathon, an event well-known to first-century Christians. Writing to Corinthian believers who lived only ten miles from the famous Isthmian games, he challenged them not merely to enter the race of faith, but to go "all out" and run so as to win. God wants winners! In our present sports-crazed society, perhaps no biblical metaphor better illustrates the reality of living for Christ. What are the keys to victory?

1. Determination - In verse 24 we read: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." One can't win a marathon with halfhearted effort. The runner must have a will to win, a strong resolve. It isn't enough to be in the Christian race. Rather, once entered, we must take our spiritual life seriously, pushing ourselves to the limit, and being deeply committed. This is not speaking of salvation or earning entrance into the race; it is calling us to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to win the victor's crown at the end. The most coveted prize of the Roman Empire was the stephanos, the laurel-like wreath placed on the head of the champion.

Made of leafy greenery, the victor's crown brought instant fame, tax-exemption, and free education. Calling for our total commitment, the apostle Paul writes, "They do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown" (v. 25b). If a marathoner would be so dedicated just to win a withering leafy wreath and short-lived fame, how much more ought we to be determined to gain the eternal, imperishable crown?

2. Discipline - Verse 25a reads: "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training." In the ancient games, victory depended on the athlete's rigorous training. Every runner entered strict training under the watchful eye of an official. Marathon runners were known to work out for years -- lifting weights, running laps, regulating sleep, restricting their diet. Self-control means we must exercise mastery over our lives, foregoing some pleasures while pursuing other disciplines, all for the sake of winning.

We must be committed to the basic spiritual disciplines of the Christian life -- Bible study, prayer, and meditation (see 1 Tim. 4:7-8). But we must have the same commitment to throw aside the sin that so easily entangles us. The writer of Hebrews said it best: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (12:1). This discipline, then, requires a commitment to do the good things and not to do the bad things.

3. Direction - I love verse 26: "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air." The marathon course was clearly marked, winding through the landscape, and the runner needed to stay on course, his eyes on the goal. Paul said that he wasn't running aimlessly or uncertainly, without a goal. The divinely designed track of God's will is clearly marked by His Word. It is a narrow path that includes every aspect of our lives. Winning the prize requires seeking direction from Scripture and following the course it requires.

4. Denial - Paul wrote this in verse 27: "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." Athletes had to give up certain comforts and to "punish" their bodies, foregoing a life of ease and bodily impulses.

The same self-denial is necessary for the Christian. After making that point in verse 27, Paul shifted metaphors from running to boxing, saying that we must beat our bodies, wielding a series of knockout punches to fleshly desires. We must resist temptations, mortify sensual lusts that would defeat us, and remain pure. Even Paul feared that having preached to others, he would be disqualified, referring not to the loss of salvation but of reward.

Conclusion

After the race, every runner was brought to stand before the raised, wooden platform in the middle of the track that supported a throne-like seat for the judge. Each athlete would be crowned, passed over, or disqualified.

So it will be for us as believers in Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). Every step of the Christian life has eternal importance. Right now counts forever! Let us run with growing anticipation of that moment when we will stand before Christ, and let us work hard, daily, so as to be crowned, not disqualified!

Copyright © 2009. Faith Matters by Dr. Ken Lovelace. All rights reserved.

KDT061509