Win the race of faith.

The Third Sunday in Lent(3/15/2020)

1Corinthians 9:24~27

Win the race of faith.

 

NASB ----- ----- -----

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.

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A. A race of faith, you must run with all your strength.

{Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win.}(24)

 

Today I want to talk about the growth of faith from the first letter of Paul to the Church at Corinth. In the text, apostle Paul says “All the runners at the stadium are trying to win, but only one of them gets the prize.” So “You must run in the same way.”(JB)

 

Paul favours the image of a race. He often used that image to emphasize the growth of faith and the attainment of goal. “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”(Acts 20:24, NIV)

 

Paul also mentioned, “I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”(Philippians 3:12) and then confessed, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:14) We all should continue to grow up like a runner to win.

 

B. Do not be satisfied with participating in a race.

{Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete...}(24)

 

Paul says, “Even all the runners run in a race.” At that time, the race was a game that many crowds went fanatical like the popular sport today. So when Paul said that, the listeners would understand the meaning.

 

At first, the runners start running as if they are tangled. Then, at the end only one runner passes the finish line. Paul noticed the winner’s attitude. This is also a warning to us not to be satisfied with participating in the race itself. Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast is the same meaning. “For many are called, but few are chosen.”(Matthew 22:14)

 

Paul confessed, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect.”(Philippians 3:12). Do not think that you have already passed the judgment of God because you had faith. All we believers must run the way of faith to the end in the help of God.

 

C. Exercise self-control in all things.

{Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.}(25)

 

In the text, Paul gives an important message about the growth of faith. That is, praying, reading the Bible and attending the worship are important means of grace to maintain a religious life. We should remind, however, that the growth of faith not formed just only by those means.

 

Paul asks us to pay attention to the self-control of a race winner. Moderation of food is essential for runners to build a suitable body for running. Like that, in order to receive the prize of our calling, strict discipline is necessary.

 

In here, ‘exercise self-control’(ἐγκρατεύεται) is a word consisting of ‘in’(εν) and ‘power’(κρατος). That means our self-control is possible when we are under control of the Holy Spirit. Paul emphasizes, “the self-control in all things.” We have seen many believers being shamed by “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life.” at the end of their lives.(1John 2:16) The way to keep faith is to seek the grace of God and to exercise self-control. These two should go together.

 

D. Run with your best, then receive the crown.

{They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.}(25)

 

In the passage, “so run that you may obtain the prize,” the word ‘prize’(βραβειον) comes from ‘judge’(βραβευς). At the end of the life, we are not determined first or second or last by human standards. In front of everyone’s last is the time to pass the judgment of God.

 

Through Moses, through the prophets, through Jesus and the apostles, God gave the Word of judgment. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 7:21)

 

We also find that the words Paul confessed as he completed his mission, saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.”(2Timothy 4:7~8) Dear believers, we also do run to win. Let us keep our faith to obtain the crown our God is preparing for.

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NET

24 Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win.

25 Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.

26 So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.

27 Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.

 

GNT

24 Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize.

25 Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever.

26 That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches.

27 I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.