p. 58 | RUNNING THE RACE by E. H. Gates

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 14, 1879

RUNNING THE RACE.

By E. H. Gates

I HAVE been reading the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 9:24–27, and I find in them much food for one who is striving for victory over a sinful nature. He says: “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.”

Here Paul evidently refers to the Olympic or Pythic races, which were celebrated in Greece once in four years. Those who were to run in these races were trained in the schools from a very tender age. The regimen they were under was very strict and severe. Their food was plain, they were prohibited from the use of wine, and continence was enjoined upon them. But then, after those long years of training, and self-denial of appetites and passions, there was a chance to lose the prize. The competitor for the prize might put forth his best efforts, and yet another more fleet than he might reach the goal a little in advance of him. All that the runner obtained for his effort was a corruptible crown,—a simple wreath of laurels or wild olive. Paul continues, “Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

In the races of which we have been speaking, all that self-denial was practiced to gain a crown that would fade in a few hours; but Paul says we do it,—that is, we put forth our best efforts, deny all ungodly lusts, all unholy passions, and are temperate in all things, to obtain a crown that will never fade. If those men could afford to spend years of self-denial to gain a little worldly honor, how much more can we afford to do the same to gain a crown that will shine through eternal ages, and which will, if we have been faithful in turning many to righteousness, be heavily studded with stars, each star representing a precious soul saved through our efforts.

In the Olympic races the runner might do his very best, and then fail; but not so with the runners in the heavenly race.

“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.” If we do our duty, there is no chance of losing the prize. It is not as in worldly enterprises. Men engage in those with much zeal and persevering energy, but are often compelled to see the labor of years amount to nothing.

In the Christian warfare we need not fear to invest our time, our talents, our means, our all; for a record of all these sacrifices is kept in the books in Heaven, and God will render an abundant reward. Have we labored hard, and invested much in God’s cause? then the prize will be proportionately great. Christ says, “My reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” He will also say, “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; for God is judge himself. Ps. 50:5, 6.

The suffering, cross-bearing, burdened ones, will receive the reward. May God help us to lift the cross here, that we may wear the incorruptible crown hereafter.

E. H. GATES.