A Runner Climbs a Mountain Path Toward the Heavenly Cityby cakebmoreno
9:241 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Paul's call to run to obtain draws on the foot-races and public games familiar near Corinth, where trained runners practiced severe discipline and self-denial in diet and habits for a perishable wreath of flowers or laurel bestowed as the highest earthly honor. The Christian prize is instead an incorruptible, unfading crown of life and glory, even eternal life itself, infinitely more valuable than that corruptible wreath and therefore calling for still more careful striving and sacrifice. Unlike the earthly contest where all run but only one receives the prize, all may run this heavenly race and all may obtain with certainty if they meet the conditions and do their best. So run means to run with full diligence, firm purpose and focused aim toward the goal, striving lawfully by the Word, laying aside every weight and sin, and keeping Jesus before them as Author and Finisher through the Holy Spirit. Striving for mastery requires being temperate in all things, keeping the body under and appetites denied, and persevering in active labor for others to the end, for the crown is given only to overcomers who endure.
Ancient Race Illustration
Paul draws the picture from the foot-races and public games familiar in his day near Corinth, run before many witnesses as the highest earthly contest of strength. Those contests were heathen games held in honor of their gods, in which trained young men sought vigor, activity, fortitude and firmness amid the applause of kings, nobles and the multitude. The Grecian illustration sets the Christian life as a race for a crown, with all runners competing in earnest purpose as the pattern for purposeful effort to obtain the prize.
The racers placed themselves under severe, prolonged discipline, training for ten whole months and sometimes longer under different masters in physical exercises to give strength and vigor to the body. That training required controlled movement and obedience to clear rules, for gaining an advantage unlawfully did not earn the prize. Their clothing left every organ and muscle untrammeled so nothing restricted them, while mind as well as body was trained for diligent, persevering effort along a rugged path.
They practiced close self-denial in diet to preserve health, strength and endurance, eating simple, spare, coarse and carefully selected food that would keep them healthy and active and give physical vigor. They gave up wine, luxurious food and every indulgence that would weaken physical power, refusing whatever would unfit them to bear the heaviest strain and keep nerves, muscles and organs in full healthful tone for the highest taxation of strength. As runners trained the body and controlled food, so the same purposeful preparation fits believers for Christian service and the work they are called to do.
The earthly prize was a perishable chaplet, a wreath of flowers or laurel crown bestowed amid the applause of the multitude and counted the highest honor, yet only temporal human honor. In that earthly race all run but only one receives the prize, so even a runner who had labored just as hard might see another seize it an instant before the end. They ran at risk of life without knowing whether they would win only that fading crown, exercising every physical power, sparing no toil and bravely enduring training under strict uncertainty of success.
Incorruptible Prize Promised
The prize held out is an incorruptible, unfading, imperishable crown, called the crown of life, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, the crown of immortal glory, the crown of everlasting life, eternal life, immortality, everlasting victory, the immortal inheritance, the eternal weight of glory, and a life that measures with the life of God. It is eternal glory and life, greater than perishable honors, and it is gained by purposeful running with temperance in all things and the body brought under control. Unlike the corruptible wreath of earthly racers, it is everlasting life contrasted with a fading chaplet, and the standard is placed high with principle ruling instead of appetite or fancy.
Because this reward far exceeds in value the perishable wreath of flowers, effort must be intense and proportionate to its worth, with still more careful striving and more willing sacrifice and self-denial. As runners trained the body, controlled food, and wore untrammeled clothing for earthly honor, those in the Lord's work must be even more thoroughly prepared, earnest, and self-denying because heavenly things are more valuable than earthly honors. The mind as well as the muscles must be trained for diligent, persevering effort along a rugged path with obstacles overcome only by patient toil. Ancient racers practiced strict temperance for temporal human honor, so there is far greater reason for temperance, self-denial, discipline, and patience when the prize is an incorruptible crown, an eternal weight of glory, and a life that measures with the life of God.
Unlike an earthly contest where only one receives the honor, all may run this heavenly race and all may obtain the prize, with plenty of room and no disappointment for those who meet the conditions. No one who does his best will fail, for no earnest persevering believer is excluded, and not one will fail who runs well according to the light shining upon him, keeps abilities in healthful condition, puts on heavenly graces, keeps Jesus and His self-denying life in view, and follows the path He marked out. This is a noble competition marked by no selfishness, unfairness, or underhanded conduct, but by use of every spiritual strength, with victory and immortal honor sure under the approval of High Heaven. The crown belongs to those who run and is given at the finishing of the race at the end, not expected as reward in this life, and workers are to keep eyes fixed on that final prize while doing present duty and enduring hardship without complaint. In full it is obtained at the resurrection, when Jesus calls the sleeping dead to immortality and the eternal home with Him in heaven, so that those who persevere with courage have not run or labored in vain.
The reward is bestowed in proportion to the work done and to the energy and earnestness of striving, with each person's reward according with persevering effort and faithful earnestness, and with daily conduct and works testifying to developed character. It is given not because of human merit, for it was purchased by Christ's self-denial and self-sacrifice, and running to obtain it is holy ambition with unselfish purpose to be co-workers with heaven, fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, and bring life into conformity with Christ's will through divine grace. The contest is witnessed by God and heavenly angels, and even the weakest saint can receive immortal glory. The redeemed who finish the warfare and win the victory reach the prize with palms symbolizing triumph and white robes representing the spotless righteousness of Christ. The prize is the privilege of belonging to God's royal family, being children of the heavenly King known by name by the Saviour, heirs to the immortal inheritance, a crown of glory and eternal weight of glory in heaven as home for the pure and holy.
Purposeful Lawful Running
So run means to run in order to obtain, with full diligence, firm purpose and undiminished and even increasing zeal to the end, not with indifference, uncertainty, slothfulness or languid lifelessness, and not as one beating the air, but with certainty, aim and focused effort toward the goal. The race calls for fortitude, patience, self-denial, disciplined habits and passions, freedom from distractions and hindrances, and reason governed by God's word and Spirit, with self-control that brings the body under subjection. The striving is purposeful rather than aimless, for even one who has preached to others may fail to remain faithful, while every act, even in life's small details, contributes to victory or defeat whose stakes are eternal honor, immortal glory and life everlasting. The greater prize of an incorruptible crown and everlasting life calls for willing sacrifice beyond that of athletes who trained for a perishable wreath.
Running requires patience, perseverance and steady advance step by step and brick upon brick, each step bringing the runner nearer to victory, pressing harder near the finish, trying again after failure without faltering or letting the hands grow weak, and holding confidence steadfast to the end. It is advanced by personal labor, a well-ordered life, piety, faith and tender compassion, with preparation, oneness with Christ, and looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher without hindering another, in unity of labor and devotion to doing God's commandments. It means unending warfare with no release, manfully fighting the good fight of faith and lawfully striving day by day for purity and moral excellency in order to represent Christ, believing the promises, trusting Christ and drawing from an inexhaustible treasure, speaking right words with the right spirit, remaining brave and cheerful under trials, treating all as the purchase of Christ's blood without partiality or hypocrisy, with the Holy Spirit as helper enabling endurance through Christ's strength. To so run, runners must lay aside every weight and the sin that easily besets, including indulgence of appetite, since intemperance has cursed the world almost from its birth and debases those who indulge it. Ministers, teachers, managers, church members and every gospel worker must thus wrestle earnestly with patience for the crown of life, breathing the breath of God in high consecration rather than inefficiency and torpor, for orthodox theories, church membership and diligent performance of a round of duties give no evidence of life, since motion is not life and forms and ceremonies without being alive in Christ are worthless.
Not everyone who strives receives the prize, for all the runners start but the prize goes to the true victor, so runners must strive lawfully, submit to every injunction of the Word, carefully study the rules and conditions laid down by the Lord, keep a definite standard and the prize in view, and gain no advantage unlawfully. Lawful, persistent effort means day by day seeking piety and moral excellence, laying aside every weight, pressing toward perfection in Christ, holding fast to pure Bible principles and living in obedience to God. No one receives that honor without passing through severe conflicts and trials, and everyone who wins in running the race has striven lawfully.
Knowingly setting aside God's will to avoid being unpopular disqualifies from the reward, as in keeping Sunday instead of the seventh-day Sabbath, which is disobedience that leaves the crown of life unpromised.
Lawful running means laying aside every weight and the sin that easily besets, discarding besetting sins, self-importance and selfish ease, strictly guarding every word, thought and action, and being temperate in all things in eating, drinking, dressing and labor. In the fallen state the physical nature is at war with the spiritual, transgressing God's physical laws increases that warfare, and every unnatural indulgence and intoxicating thing strengthens warring lust and degrades soul and body, preventing high attainments in godliness. It requires taking an active and faithful part rather than waiting passively, matching zeal in worldly pursuits with ambition and earnestness for eternal life, and guarding spiritual graces, since Satan seeks to take them when unwatchful and losing them through carelessness makes it necessary to strive to regain them. The runner wins only by keeping the imperishable crown of immortal glory before him and the eye fixed on the mark, without looking behind or from side to side to see whether fellow workers are coming out ahead, not letting the doings, sayings and interpretations of finite erring men discourage him from his God-given work, but staying on guard every moment in a grand, holy, sacred work and doing duty faithfully unto God who renders to every man according as his work shall be, so that no man takes his crown. Besetting sins and self-importance hinder progress, so believers must keep their Pattern before them and continue steadfastly, rooted in love and established in faith, enduring to the end. A mind intent upon heaven as the prize rejects with firm, determined purpose every attempt at wit and jest concerning religious things and leaves no place for nonsense, pleasantry, trifling, or joining in foolish remarks and conduct.
Runners must keep Jesus and His self-denying life and example before them as Author and Finisher of faith, follow the path He marked by His footsteps and blood, look to Christ rather than men, believe Him as personal Saviour, pray, meditate, study and practice the Word, resist the devil with soul barriers unbroken, and cooperate with divine power through the Holy Spirit who changes them from glory to glory to certain victory. Unlike an earthly race where only one receives honor, all can receive the heavenly prize of immortality and everlasting life by putting on heavenly graces, doing their best, and bringing life into conformity with Christ's will, so that no earnest, persevering believer, even the weakest saint, is excluded through divine grace. The small details of daily conduct matter because each act helps or hinders the outcome, and the reward is proportionate to the energy and earnestness of striving. Each must fight his own battle against self, accept the cross and self-denial, heed the lessons of the Holy Spirit as divine Teacher until fixed forever, and subordinate minds, bodies, habits and appetites to the higher wants of the soul, with holy thoughts, heavenly affections and Christlike actions taking the place of impure thoughts, perverse sentiments and rebellious acts, for no dependence can be placed on self and only the Holy Spirit can renew and sanctify. Those who profess to serve God while indulging natural impulses grieve the Holy Spirit, mislead other souls, and even after preaching to others risk becoming castaways and losing the prize.
Temperance Bodily Discipline
Striving for mastery in the race to obtain the prize requires being temperate in all things, with self-denial and disciplined habits and passions, reason governed by God's word and Spirit, and the body kept under and brought into subjection instead of appetite, fancy or natural impulse ruling. The runners who sought an earthly laurel practiced self-control in every part of life so their bodies and minds would be in the best condition, and temperance made them more capable of running successfully and more likely to win. Athletes trained for a temporary crown while Christians seek an incorruptible one, and Paul's disciplining of his body shows that disciplined effort is necessary so that preaching to others does not end in being disqualified. The perishable wreath contrasts with the incorruptible crown and everlasting life, and the greater prize calls for willing self-denial and disciplined habits with principle ruling instead of appetite or fancy.
As athletes cheerfully kept strict, severe discipline and restrained appetite for a corruptible crown, Christians in a real contest for an incorruptible crown must do as much or more, with greater earnestness because heavenly things are more valuable. Racers were moved by hope of a prize and submitted to painful training, thorough temperance and severest discipline to exercise every nerve and muscle for a valueless laurel awarded by the judge, eating a spare, coarse diet, denying luxuries and harmful food to keep nerves, muscles and organs in full healthful tone for the highest taxation of strength. Runners subjected themselves to severe training and continual self-denial, putting aside every indulgence that would weaken the physical powers in hope of gaining a chaplet of perishable flowers bestowed amid applause and counted the highest honor, yet Christians run for an infinitely more valuable prize, the crown of everlasting life, so they must run to obtain it with still more careful striving and more willing sacrifice and self-denial. Those engaged in the Lord's work must be even more thoroughly prepared, earnest and self-denying because heavenly things are more valuable than earthly honors, with mind as well as body trained for diligent, persevering effort, submitting to every injunction of the Word, studying the rules laid down by the Lord and faithfully complying with the conditions, suffering inconveniences and denying self rather than being languid and lifeless or choosing indolence and selfish ease.
This temperance covers eating, drinking, dressing, labor, study, rest and exercise, requiring principle to rule appetite and keeping the body under and bringing it into subjection instead of running uncertainly or fighting as one beating the air. It means avoiding unhealthy food, overeating even wholesome food, hurried eating, eating at all hours and irregular habits, refusing to overtax mental and physical powers, neglecting rest and daily muscle work such as garden work, and caring for the body as a holy trust and living sacrifice. The racers placed themselves under severe discipline to fit them for the trial of strength, eating simple and carefully selected food that would keep them healthy and active and give physical vigor and endurance, giving up luxurious food and wine, and refusing every indulgence that would weaken physical power so they could bear the heaviest strain, which presses the necessity for the Christian to do his best to gain fitness for the work he is called to do and to run in a way that wins, including obedience to the laws of health as a first duty owed to God, to self, and to fellow men. Ministers especially should do some muscle work every day, since daily physical exercise is a great benefit, and failure to care for the body leaves even one who has preached to others in danger of becoming a castaway and breaking down, while right care lengthens usefulness for working out individual salvation and promoting the well-being of others.
It means total abstinence from alcohol, stimulating drinks, beer, wine, strong drinks, tea, coffee, opium, tobacco, flesh meat and every substance deleterious to health, discarding everything that intoxicates, confuses reason, enfeebles intellect, degrades morals and brings the higher powers under animal appetites and passions, since through appetite Satan controls the whole being. Christian temperance must be placed on an elevated platform in the family circle and in the church as a living, working element reforming habits, dispositions, and characters, because intemperance lies at the foundation of all evil in the world, with fathers and mothers invited in the fear of the Lord to abstain not only from all intoxicating beverages but from tea, coffee, and flesh meat. That temperance includes self-denial in eating and drinking, refusing wrong habits of diet and indulgence of appetite, so the body is kept in health and fitness for God's service, requiring full cooperation, arousing of the moral powers, looking to Jesus and trusting His grace to overcome unnatural craving, keeping the body in healthful condition and the intellect clear and active, and employing every faculty in God's service, because the body is God's purchased property to be presented a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable. This struggle centers especially on appetite, and victory is made possible by Christ, who set the example by enduring a forty-day fast.
Indulgence of pernicious habits and appetite clouds the moral sense and destroys power to discern sacred things, prevents clear judgment of truth and character defects, brings gloom of mind, confusion of the brain, inefficiency in labor and inability to receive divine enlightenment, and easily leads into dissipation and foolish and hurtful lusts that drown men in destruction and perdition. Eating too much or eating food of objectionable quality easily leads into dissipation and other foolish and hurtful lusts, and laborers together with God must use every jot of influence to encourage true temperance principles. Health reform stands on the basis Paul lays for temperance and the Christian race, as part of present truth closely joined to it, requiring physical and mental clearness and strength to appreciate the elevated truths of God's Word and with clear and sanctified judgment to discern defects of moral character and reform them so as to have friendship with God and be made perfect before God. It is to be taken hold of in an intelligent manner by educating the intellect and arousing the moral sensibility, rather than making articles of diet a test question, while holding each person individually accountable and laying down qualifications for church office that are essential in the deacon and equally essential in the elder.
Even one who has preached to others must practice this self-control lest he become a castaway and be lost. Ministers in particular are to heed its warning and counsel: they must exercise self-control and bring their bodies under discipline, discipline natural impulses, do daily physical work, and use every jot of influence to spread true temperance principles, lest they preach to others yet fail to receive the reward themselves. Keeping the body under means continually curbing fleshly appetites and inclinations, for any habit or practice that weakens nerve and brain power or physical strength disqualifies for patience, the next grace after temperance. Temperance must be added to knowledge, planted as the ladder round before patience can be added, regulated by knowledge in food, raiment, work, regular hours, and healthful exercise to place life and health in right relation, since through intemperate appetite Adam and Eve lost Eden, and only through strict temperance and denial of hurtful indulgences come calm nerves and mental acuteness to discern good from evil.
Persevering Service Warning
The race is run by active spiritual exercise that trains mind and heart, for that training is even more essential than physical training, and by it spiritual strength is gained and weak points of character are made strong. Running means earnest labor for the good of others rather than passive acceptance of blessings, for action is the very condition of life and trying to live by receiving without doing for Christ brings degeneration and loss of strength already had. It means laying aside selfishness and intemperance to live and work for the good of others, helping and blessing those in need as the only way to grow in grace, while bringing every appetite under the control of the Spirit because through appetite the whole being is controlled. Lay members entering new places as missionaries run by standing alone in God, weeping, praying and laboring in humility for souls and for God's favor rather than human praise, exercising faith to present neighbors before the throne of grace, walking circumspectly without cherished sin that hinders prayer, and gaining strength and understanding while helping others. To run is to put forth earnest efforts to overcome and to teach others the joys of overcoming, striving for the crown of immortal life so as to obtain it and share the reward of the faithful.
Every follower is called to enter and strip for the race with eyes fixed steadfastly on the prize at the end, not expecting reward in this life. The work is the duty nearest at hand done with best effort, endured amid perils and hardships without complaint of hardship and self-sacrifice, as true to duty as the needle to the pole, without having the way smoothed and every obstacle removed. It is humble, faithful labor for a crown of immortality rather than seeking human praise, carrying the message of warning to all the world with patience to receive a crown of life that does not fade. Canvassers and all workers keep that richest prize in view while doing present duty, seeking God's favor and souls rather than present reward or ease.
Youth and students are to believe in Jesus as Saviour and come to Him in sincerity for grace to help, fighting the good fight of faith and wrestling for the crown of life. Satan presses on the right hand and the left, before and behind, and must be wrenched away from and trampled underfoot in the strength of the risen Saviour, for if the crown is not won everything in this life and the future life is lost. They are to train character by the divine model, forming habits that prepare them to bear responsibilities with courage and to meet trials with patience and fortitude, with Jesus abiding in the heart by faith and showing in outward works through day-by-day and hour-by-hour self-denial and sanctification. Time as God's precious talent must not be wasted on gambling, horse-racing, betting, football, cricket and all kinds of amusement, for passion for such pleasures is depraved and more absorbing than eternal interests, and educating to become expert for worldly honor makes men forgetful of the immortal crown. Those with minds filled with knowledge of God as Creator and Redeemer discern the spiritual race to heaven and run to win the crown of immortal life centered in God instead of letting thoughts lead to the betting hall or horse race, and parents are to teach this by example and prayer.
Gaining the prize requires severe conflicts and trials, for no one receives that honor without passing through them, and everyone who wins has striven lawfully. Changing wrong habits, growing out of indolence and want of moral power, and correcting formed habit is not amusement but hard striving against internal foes, seeing oneself in the light in which God views one and discerning defects in the mirror, then setting to work by personal effort in penitence and repentance through faith in Christ's grace to overcome. Self-conquest and perfection of heart is washing robes of character white in the blood of the Lamb through unending warfare with no release, fighting manfully day by day for purity and moral excellency. Weariness, heartsickness, discouragement and longing for release will come, yet in view of the prize runners must arise again, gird on the armor anew and toil on, remaining brave and cheerful under trials and never letting hands grow weak. Thousands fail because they love ease, indulgence and self-gratification, while thousands gain because they are persevering, courageous, vigilant, temperate and valiant, drawing from an inexhaustible treasure and enduring all things through Christ's strength with the Holy Spirit as helper.
Victory is possible only through Christ, who bids runners obtain the crown of immortal life purchased by His self-denial and self-sacrifice. He set the example by enduring a forty-day fast and thereby made overcoming appetite possible, so Christians must keep the body under and live temperately with far greater earnestness than ancient runners, lest even one who preached to others become a castaway. He holds the crown of life before each striver to encourage and renew faith for victory, calling for prayer, diligent study of the Word, use of every spiritual strength, and steady focus on Him as Author and Finisher, for vague belief is not enough and saving truth brings God's keeping power. He gave His life to bring moral courage to run, and to run means to die to self and behold the Lamb who takes away sin, so that His righteousness supplies need and works in man to fulfill the destiny of bearing God's image as a son of God. The reward is not from human merit yet is bestowed in proportion to work done in Christ's name, for works testify to developed character, and the prize of eternal life is won only through Jesus as greatest Teacher by staying shut in with Him and making highest use of every facility of mind to reach highest elevation.
Only the overcomer receives the prize, kept in view every morning and run for now, today, going on a little longer and suffering a few days longer through sorrows and troubles for eternity of happiness, rest and bliss, seeing Christ as He is and being made like Him. If he overcomes the crown is his, but if he does not overcome and is overcome he loses it and another gets it, for if heaven is lost everything is lost and if heaven is gained everything is gained. All may run, but only those who strive lawfully will ride victoriously into the harbor and obtain it, holding to Jesus who has the words of eternal life, while many who might have won make shipwreck and lose. Truth will triumph while individuals fall and lose the crown in Christ's hands because they hold to human boundaries and require God to work in expected lines, disbelieving His power when He works contrary to expectation, as new bottles had to be made for new wine. Those God would use fail where they might win when ambition, indolence, unbelief, self-indulgence or timidity diverts them from venturing forward to lift the cross in higher walks of piety, even when not rebellious and strongly desiring the crown. Those who keep running have not run or labored in vain, and if they persevere with courage they will surely obtain the rich immortal inheritance and eternal home with Jesus, in full at the resurrection when the sleeping dead are called to immortality.
Running now means beginning well out of error and being built up in most holy faith to run the whole road to everlasting victory. It means fighting lifelong as in battle and march with all restless energy because immense eternal interests are involved, holding the beginning of confidence steadfast to the end in integrity and purity and refusing to be led away or moved by slander and opposition. It means constantly watching and striving without ceasing, fighting the good fight of faith, filling every hour with good deeds, diligently cultivating entrusted talents, striving most earnestly to keep the commandments and be brought into harmony with God's law. Life is a battlefield and race to be run in order to be victor, not won by devising and scheming or making duty soft to natural character, but by receiving God's implanted principle, refusing to please self, copying Christ in self-denial and sacrifice, walking humbly, being faithful to duty and reaching His standard of perfection. It means watching for the Lord's appearing rather than testifying by planting, building and influence that He delays.
Recovery of the intemperate is such a race for life against death, run by men who put liquor to their lips and were bound as slaves to perverted appetite down to depths where the will is chained and no human arm can save from ruin. To run means eyes and heart and soul thoroughly aroused to strive for life, reaching for the helping hand stretched over the gulf to draw back, receiving God's grace to be victors saved at extremity of ruin with entire change and transformed character.
Running to obtain means practicing professed belief in living in the very last scenes of earth's history, so works correspond with faith and give telling influence instead of lessening influence by profession without works. It means practicing temperance and giving importance to institutions that advance it, everyone working at the right point, and stripping for running and harnessing for battle because trouble is upon us. It means feeding on the bread from heaven to sustain piety and energy, learning at Jesus' feet the simplicity of godliness, putting aside ponderous volumes for His simple lessons, taking His yoke and doing all He told instead of perplexing the soul with reading that cannot feed the flock. It requires humility and faithful use of talents rather than striving to be greatest, sharing the work, using change of gifts for hearers' good, speaking directly without tedious discourses, praying short spiritual prayers to the point, and remaining constant learners, for striving to be greatest puts one lowest and makes one dead instead of a living epistle.
Religion that wins is not tame but up and doing, leading to the front in eternal interests, militant and aggressive upon self and all unlike Christ. Obtaining the crown requires leaving self-justification and a hard unsubdued spirit, being softened and subdued by Christ's love without parallel so as not to grieve Him, and coming where the Holy Spirit works every power possessed. The path to the crown passes through the cross and is not won without effort and battles, and those who gain rest learn His easy yoke and light burden by experience.
Paul's call to run to obtain draws on the foot-races and public games familiar near Corinth, where trained runners practiced severe discipline and self-denial in diet and habits for a perishable wreath of flowers or laurel bestowed as the highest earthly honor. The Christian prize is instead an incorruptible, unfading crown of life and glory, even eternal life itself, infinitely more valuable than that corruptible wreath and therefore calling for still more careful striving and sacrifice. Unlike the earthly contest where all run but only one receives the prize, all may run this heavenly race and all may obtain with certainty if they meet the conditions and do their best. So run means to run with full diligence, firm purpose and focused aim toward the goal, striving lawfully by the Word, laying aside every weight and sin, and keeping Jesus before them as Author and Finisher through the Holy Spirit. Striving for mastery requires being temperate in all things, keeping the body under and appetites denied, and persevering in active labor for others to the end, for the crown is given only to overcomers who endure.
Ancient Race Illustration
Paul draws the picture from the foot-races and public games familiar in his day near Corinth, run before many witnesses as the highest earthly contest of strength. Those contests were heathen games held in honor of their gods, in which trained young men sought vigor, activity, fortitude and firmness amid the applause of kings, nobles and the multitude. The Grecian illustration sets the Christian life as a race for a crown, with all runners competing in earnest purpose as the pattern for purposeful effort to obtain the prize.
The racers placed themselves under severe, prolonged discipline, training for ten whole months and sometimes longer under different masters in physical exercises to give strength and vigor to the body. That training required controlled movement and obedience to clear rules, for gaining an advantage unlawfully did not earn the prize. Their clothing left every organ and muscle untrammeled so nothing restricted them, while mind as well as body was trained for diligent, persevering effort along a rugged path.
They practiced close self-denial in diet to preserve health, strength and endurance, eating simple, spare, coarse and carefully selected food that would keep them healthy and active and give physical vigor. They gave up wine, luxurious food and every indulgence that would weaken physical power, refusing whatever would unfit them to bear the heaviest strain and keep nerves, muscles and organs in full healthful tone for the highest taxation of strength. As runners trained the body and controlled food, so the same purposeful preparation fits believers for Christian service and the work they are called to do.
The earthly prize was a perishable chaplet, a wreath of flowers or laurel crown bestowed amid the applause of the multitude and counted the highest honor, yet only temporal human honor. In that earthly race all run but only one receives the prize, so even a runner who had labored just as hard might see another seize it an instant before the end. They ran at risk of life without knowing whether they would win only that fading crown, exercising every physical power, sparing no toil and bravely enduring training under strict uncertainty of success.
Incorruptible Prize Promised
The prize held out is an incorruptible, unfading, imperishable crown, called the crown of life, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, the crown of immortal glory, the crown of everlasting life, eternal life, immortality, everlasting victory, the immortal inheritance, the eternal weight of glory, and a life that measures with the life of God. It is eternal glory and life, greater than perishable honors, and it is gained by purposeful running with temperance in all things and the body brought under control. Unlike the corruptible wreath of earthly racers, it is everlasting life contrasted with a fading chaplet, and the standard is placed high with principle ruling instead of appetite or fancy.
Because this reward far exceeds in value the perishable wreath of flowers, effort must be intense and proportionate to its worth, with still more careful striving and more willing sacrifice and self-denial. As runners trained the body, controlled food, and wore untrammeled clothing for earthly honor, those in the Lord's work must be even more thoroughly prepared, earnest, and self-denying because heavenly things are more valuable than earthly honors. The mind as well as the muscles must be trained for diligent, persevering effort along a rugged path with obstacles overcome only by patient toil. Ancient racers practiced strict temperance for temporal human honor, so there is far greater reason for temperance, self-denial, discipline, and patience when the prize is an incorruptible crown, an eternal weight of glory, and a life that measures with the life of God.
Unlike an earthly contest where only one receives the honor, all may run this heavenly race and all may obtain the prize, with plenty of room and no disappointment for those who meet the conditions. No one who does his best will fail, for no earnest persevering believer is excluded, and not one will fail who runs well according to the light shining upon him, keeps abilities in healthful condition, puts on heavenly graces, keeps Jesus and His self-denying life in view, and follows the path He marked out. This is a noble competition marked by no selfishness, unfairness, or underhanded conduct, but by use of every spiritual strength, with victory and immortal honor sure under the approval of High Heaven. The crown belongs to those who run and is given at the finishing of the race at the end, not expected as reward in this life, and workers are to keep eyes fixed on that final prize while doing present duty and enduring hardship without complaint. In full it is obtained at the resurrection, when Jesus calls the sleeping dead to immortality and the eternal home with Him in heaven, so that those who persevere with courage have not run or labored in vain.
The reward is bestowed in proportion to the work done and to the energy and earnestness of striving, with each person's reward according with persevering effort and faithful earnestness, and with daily conduct and works testifying to developed character. It is given not because of human merit, for it was purchased by Christ's self-denial and self-sacrifice, and running to obtain it is holy ambition with unselfish purpose to be co-workers with heaven, fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, and bring life into conformity with Christ's will through divine grace. The contest is witnessed by God and heavenly angels, and even the weakest saint can receive immortal glory. The redeemed who finish the warfare and win the victory reach the prize with palms symbolizing triumph and white robes representing the spotless righteousness of Christ. The prize is the privilege of belonging to God's royal family, being children of the heavenly King known by name by the Saviour, heirs to the immortal inheritance, a crown of glory and eternal weight of glory in heaven as home for the pure and holy.
Purposeful Lawful Running
So run means to run in order to obtain, with full diligence, firm purpose and undiminished and even increasing zeal to the end, not with indifference, uncertainty, slothfulness or languid lifelessness, and not as one beating the air, but with certainty, aim and focused effort toward the goal. The race calls for fortitude, patience, self-denial, disciplined habits and passions, freedom from distractions and hindrances, and reason governed by God's word and Spirit, with self-control that brings the body under subjection. The striving is purposeful rather than aimless, for even one who has preached to others may fail to remain faithful, while every act, even in life's small details, contributes to victory or defeat whose stakes are eternal honor, immortal glory and life everlasting. The greater prize of an incorruptible crown and everlasting life calls for willing sacrifice beyond that of athletes who trained for a perishable wreath.
Running requires patience, perseverance and steady advance step by step and brick upon brick, each step bringing the runner nearer to victory, pressing harder near the finish, trying again after failure without faltering or letting the hands grow weak, and holding confidence steadfast to the end. It is advanced by personal labor, a well-ordered life, piety, faith and tender compassion, with preparation, oneness with Christ, and looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher without hindering another, in unity of labor and devotion to doing God's commandments. It means unending warfare with no release, manfully fighting the good fight of faith and lawfully striving day by day for purity and moral excellency in order to represent Christ, believing the promises, trusting Christ and drawing from an inexhaustible treasure, speaking right words with the right spirit, remaining brave and cheerful under trials, treating all as the purchase of Christ's blood without partiality or hypocrisy, with the Holy Spirit as helper enabling endurance through Christ's strength. To so run, runners must lay aside every weight and the sin that easily besets, including indulgence of appetite, since intemperance has cursed the world almost from its birth and debases those who indulge it. Ministers, teachers, managers, church members and every gospel worker must thus wrestle earnestly with patience for the crown of life, breathing the breath of God in high consecration rather than inefficiency and torpor, for orthodox theories, church membership and diligent performance of a round of duties give no evidence of life, since motion is not life and forms and ceremonies without being alive in Christ are worthless.
Not everyone who strives receives the prize, for all the runners start but the prize goes to the true victor, so runners must strive lawfully, submit to every injunction of the Word, carefully study the rules and conditions laid down by the Lord, keep a definite standard and the prize in view, and gain no advantage unlawfully. Lawful, persistent effort means day by day seeking piety and moral excellence, laying aside every weight, pressing toward perfection in Christ, holding fast to pure Bible principles and living in obedience to God. No one receives that honor without passing through severe conflicts and trials, and everyone who wins in running the race has striven lawfully.
Knowingly setting aside God's will to avoid being unpopular disqualifies from the reward, as in keeping Sunday instead of the seventh-day Sabbath, which is disobedience that leaves the crown of life unpromised.
Lawful running means laying aside every weight and the sin that easily besets, discarding besetting sins, self-importance and selfish ease, strictly guarding every word, thought and action, and being temperate in all things in eating, drinking, dressing and labor. In the fallen state the physical nature is at war with the spiritual, transgressing God's physical laws increases that warfare, and every unnatural indulgence and intoxicating thing strengthens warring lust and degrades soul and body, preventing high attainments in godliness. It requires taking an active and faithful part rather than waiting passively, matching zeal in worldly pursuits with ambition and earnestness for eternal life, and guarding spiritual graces, since Satan seeks to take them when unwatchful and losing them through carelessness makes it necessary to strive to regain them. The runner wins only by keeping the imperishable crown of immortal glory before him and the eye fixed on the mark, without looking behind or from side to side to see whether fellow workers are coming out ahead, not letting the doings, sayings and interpretations of finite erring men discourage him from his God-given work, but staying on guard every moment in a grand, holy, sacred work and doing duty faithfully unto God who renders to every man according as his work shall be, so that no man takes his crown. Besetting sins and self-importance hinder progress, so believers must keep their Pattern before them and continue steadfastly, rooted in love and established in faith, enduring to the end. A mind intent upon heaven as the prize rejects with firm, determined purpose every attempt at wit and jest concerning religious things and leaves no place for nonsense, pleasantry, trifling, or joining in foolish remarks and conduct.
Runners must keep Jesus and His self-denying life and example before them as Author and Finisher of faith, follow the path He marked by His footsteps and blood, look to Christ rather than men, believe Him as personal Saviour, pray, meditate, study and practice the Word, resist the devil with soul barriers unbroken, and cooperate with divine power through the Holy Spirit who changes them from glory to glory to certain victory. Unlike an earthly race where only one receives honor, all can receive the heavenly prize of immortality and everlasting life by putting on heavenly graces, doing their best, and bringing life into conformity with Christ's will, so that no earnest, persevering believer, even the weakest saint, is excluded through divine grace. The small details of daily conduct matter because each act helps or hinders the outcome, and the reward is proportionate to the energy and earnestness of striving. Each must fight his own battle against self, accept the cross and self-denial, heed the lessons of the Holy Spirit as divine Teacher until fixed forever, and subordinate minds, bodies, habits and appetites to the higher wants of the soul, with holy thoughts, heavenly affections and Christlike actions taking the place of impure thoughts, perverse sentiments and rebellious acts, for no dependence can be placed on self and only the Holy Spirit can renew and sanctify. Those who profess to serve God while indulging natural impulses grieve the Holy Spirit, mislead other souls, and even after preaching to others risk becoming castaways and losing the prize.
Temperance Bodily Discipline
Striving for mastery in the race to obtain the prize requires being temperate in all things, with self-denial and disciplined habits and passions, reason governed by God's word and Spirit, and the body kept under and brought into subjection instead of appetite, fancy or natural impulse ruling. The runners who sought an earthly laurel practiced self-control in every part of life so their bodies and minds would be in the best condition, and temperance made them more capable of running successfully and more likely to win. Athletes trained for a temporary crown while Christians seek an incorruptible one, and Paul's disciplining of his body shows that disciplined effort is necessary so that preaching to others does not end in being disqualified. The perishable wreath contrasts with the incorruptible crown and everlasting life, and the greater prize calls for willing self-denial and disciplined habits with principle ruling instead of appetite or fancy.
As athletes cheerfully kept strict, severe discipline and restrained appetite for a corruptible crown, Christians in a real contest for an incorruptible crown must do as much or more, with greater earnestness because heavenly things are more valuable. Racers were moved by hope of a prize and submitted to painful training, thorough temperance and severest discipline to exercise every nerve and muscle for a valueless laurel awarded by the judge, eating a spare, coarse diet, denying luxuries and harmful food to keep nerves, muscles and organs in full healthful tone for the highest taxation of strength. Runners subjected themselves to severe training and continual self-denial, putting aside every indulgence that would weaken the physical powers in hope of gaining a chaplet of perishable flowers bestowed amid applause and counted the highest honor, yet Christians run for an infinitely more valuable prize, the crown of everlasting life, so they must run to obtain it with still more careful striving and more willing sacrifice and self-denial. Those engaged in the Lord's work must be even more thoroughly prepared, earnest and self-denying because heavenly things are more valuable than earthly honors, with mind as well as body trained for diligent, persevering effort, submitting to every injunction of the Word, studying the rules laid down by the Lord and faithfully complying with the conditions, suffering inconveniences and denying self rather than being languid and lifeless or choosing indolence and selfish ease.
This temperance covers eating, drinking, dressing, labor, study, rest and exercise, requiring principle to rule appetite and keeping the body under and bringing it into subjection instead of running uncertainly or fighting as one beating the air. It means avoiding unhealthy food, overeating even wholesome food, hurried eating, eating at all hours and irregular habits, refusing to overtax mental and physical powers, neglecting rest and daily muscle work such as garden work, and caring for the body as a holy trust and living sacrifice. The racers placed themselves under severe discipline to fit them for the trial of strength, eating simple and carefully selected food that would keep them healthy and active and give physical vigor and endurance, giving up luxurious food and wine, and refusing every indulgence that would weaken physical power so they could bear the heaviest strain, which presses the necessity for the Christian to do his best to gain fitness for the work he is called to do and to run in a way that wins, including obedience to the laws of health as a first duty owed to God, to self, and to fellow men. Ministers especially should do some muscle work every day, since daily physical exercise is a great benefit, and failure to care for the body leaves even one who has preached to others in danger of becoming a castaway and breaking down, while right care lengthens usefulness for working out individual salvation and promoting the well-being of others.
It means total abstinence from alcohol, stimulating drinks, beer, wine, strong drinks, tea, coffee, opium, tobacco, flesh meat and every substance deleterious to health, discarding everything that intoxicates, confuses reason, enfeebles intellect, degrades morals and brings the higher powers under animal appetites and passions, since through appetite Satan controls the whole being. Christian temperance must be placed on an elevated platform in the family circle and in the church as a living, working element reforming habits, dispositions, and characters, because intemperance lies at the foundation of all evil in the world, with fathers and mothers invited in the fear of the Lord to abstain not only from all intoxicating beverages but from tea, coffee, and flesh meat. That temperance includes self-denial in eating and drinking, refusing wrong habits of diet and indulgence of appetite, so the body is kept in health and fitness for God's service, requiring full cooperation, arousing of the moral powers, looking to Jesus and trusting His grace to overcome unnatural craving, keeping the body in healthful condition and the intellect clear and active, and employing every faculty in God's service, because the body is God's purchased property to be presented a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable. This struggle centers especially on appetite, and victory is made possible by Christ, who set the example by enduring a forty-day fast.
Indulgence of pernicious habits and appetite clouds the moral sense and destroys power to discern sacred things, prevents clear judgment of truth and character defects, brings gloom of mind, confusion of the brain, inefficiency in labor and inability to receive divine enlightenment, and easily leads into dissipation and foolish and hurtful lusts that drown men in destruction and perdition. Eating too much or eating food of objectionable quality easily leads into dissipation and other foolish and hurtful lusts, and laborers together with God must use every jot of influence to encourage true temperance principles. Health reform stands on the basis Paul lays for temperance and the Christian race, as part of present truth closely joined to it, requiring physical and mental clearness and strength to appreciate the elevated truths of God's Word and with clear and sanctified judgment to discern defects of moral character and reform them so as to have friendship with God and be made perfect before God. It is to be taken hold of in an intelligent manner by educating the intellect and arousing the moral sensibility, rather than making articles of diet a test question, while holding each person individually accountable and laying down qualifications for church office that are essential in the deacon and equally essential in the elder.
Even one who has preached to others must practice this self-control lest he become a castaway and be lost. Ministers in particular are to heed its warning and counsel: they must exercise self-control and bring their bodies under discipline, discipline natural impulses, do daily physical work, and use every jot of influence to spread true temperance principles, lest they preach to others yet fail to receive the reward themselves. Keeping the body under means continually curbing fleshly appetites and inclinations, for any habit or practice that weakens nerve and brain power or physical strength disqualifies for patience, the next grace after temperance. Temperance must be added to knowledge, planted as the ladder round before patience can be added, regulated by knowledge in food, raiment, work, regular hours, and healthful exercise to place life and health in right relation, since through intemperate appetite Adam and Eve lost Eden, and only through strict temperance and denial of hurtful indulgences come calm nerves and mental acuteness to discern good from evil.
Persevering Service Warning
The race is run by active spiritual exercise that trains mind and heart, for that training is even more essential than physical training, and by it spiritual strength is gained and weak points of character are made strong. Running means earnest labor for the good of others rather than passive acceptance of blessings, for action is the very condition of life and trying to live by receiving without doing for Christ brings degeneration and loss of strength already had. It means laying aside selfishness and intemperance to live and work for the good of others, helping and blessing those in need as the only way to grow in grace, while bringing every appetite under the control of the Spirit because through appetite the whole being is controlled. Lay members entering new places as missionaries run by standing alone in God, weeping, praying and laboring in humility for souls and for God's favor rather than human praise, exercising faith to present neighbors before the throne of grace, walking circumspectly without cherished sin that hinders prayer, and gaining strength and understanding while helping others. To run is to put forth earnest efforts to overcome and to teach others the joys of overcoming, striving for the crown of immortal life so as to obtain it and share the reward of the faithful.
Every follower is called to enter and strip for the race with eyes fixed steadfastly on the prize at the end, not expecting reward in this life. The work is the duty nearest at hand done with best effort, endured amid perils and hardships without complaint of hardship and self-sacrifice, as true to duty as the needle to the pole, without having the way smoothed and every obstacle removed. It is humble, faithful labor for a crown of immortality rather than seeking human praise, carrying the message of warning to all the world with patience to receive a crown of life that does not fade. Canvassers and all workers keep that richest prize in view while doing present duty, seeking God's favor and souls rather than present reward or ease.
Youth and students are to believe in Jesus as Saviour and come to Him in sincerity for grace to help, fighting the good fight of faith and wrestling for the crown of life. Satan presses on the right hand and the left, before and behind, and must be wrenched away from and trampled underfoot in the strength of the risen Saviour, for if the crown is not won everything in this life and the future life is lost. They are to train character by the divine model, forming habits that prepare them to bear responsibilities with courage and to meet trials with patience and fortitude, with Jesus abiding in the heart by faith and showing in outward works through day-by-day and hour-by-hour self-denial and sanctification. Time as God's precious talent must not be wasted on gambling, horse-racing, betting, football, cricket and all kinds of amusement, for passion for such pleasures is depraved and more absorbing than eternal interests, and educating to become expert for worldly honor makes men forgetful of the immortal crown. Those with minds filled with knowledge of God as Creator and Redeemer discern the spiritual race to heaven and run to win the crown of immortal life centered in God instead of letting thoughts lead to the betting hall or horse race, and parents are to teach this by example and prayer.
Gaining the prize requires severe conflicts and trials, for no one receives that honor without passing through them, and everyone who wins has striven lawfully. Changing wrong habits, growing out of indolence and want of moral power, and correcting formed habit is not amusement but hard striving against internal foes, seeing oneself in the light in which God views one and discerning defects in the mirror, then setting to work by personal effort in penitence and repentance through faith in Christ's grace to overcome. Self-conquest and perfection of heart is washing robes of character white in the blood of the Lamb through unending warfare with no release, fighting manfully day by day for purity and moral excellency. Weariness, heartsickness, discouragement and longing for release will come, yet in view of the prize runners must arise again, gird on the armor anew and toil on, remaining brave and cheerful under trials and never letting hands grow weak. Thousands fail because they love ease, indulgence and self-gratification, while thousands gain because they are persevering, courageous, vigilant, temperate and valiant, drawing from an inexhaustible treasure and enduring all things through Christ's strength with the Holy Spirit as helper.
Victory is possible only through Christ, who bids runners obtain the crown of immortal life purchased by His self-denial and self-sacrifice. He set the example by enduring a forty-day fast and thereby made overcoming appetite possible, so Christians must keep the body under and live temperately with far greater earnestness than ancient runners, lest even one who preached to others become a castaway. He holds the crown of life before each striver to encourage and renew faith for victory, calling for prayer, diligent study of the Word, use of every spiritual strength, and steady focus on Him as Author and Finisher, for vague belief is not enough and saving truth brings God's keeping power. He gave His life to bring moral courage to run, and to run means to die to self and behold the Lamb who takes away sin, so that His righteousness supplies need and works in man to fulfill the destiny of bearing God's image as a son of God. The reward is not from human merit yet is bestowed in proportion to work done in Christ's name, for works testify to developed character, and the prize of eternal life is won only through Jesus as greatest Teacher by staying shut in with Him and making highest use of every facility of mind to reach highest elevation.
Only the overcomer receives the prize, kept in view every morning and run for now, today, going on a little longer and suffering a few days longer through sorrows and troubles for eternity of happiness, rest and bliss, seeing Christ as He is and being made like Him. If he overcomes the crown is his, but if he does not overcome and is overcome he loses it and another gets it, for if heaven is lost everything is lost and if heaven is gained everything is gained. All may run, but only those who strive lawfully will ride victoriously into the harbor and obtain it, holding to Jesus who has the words of eternal life, while many who might have won make shipwreck and lose. Truth will triumph while individuals fall and lose the crown in Christ's hands because they hold to human boundaries and require God to work in expected lines, disbelieving His power when He works contrary to expectation, as new bottles had to be made for new wine. Those God would use fail where they might win when ambition, indolence, unbelief, self-indulgence or timidity diverts them from venturing forward to lift the cross in higher walks of piety, even when not rebellious and strongly desiring the crown. Those who keep running have not run or labored in vain, and if they persevere with courage they will surely obtain the rich immortal inheritance and eternal home with Jesus, in full at the resurrection when the sleeping dead are called to immortality.
Running now means beginning well out of error and being built up in most holy faith to run the whole road to everlasting victory. It means fighting lifelong as in battle and march with all restless energy because immense eternal interests are involved, holding the beginning of confidence steadfast to the end in integrity and purity and refusing to be led away or moved by slander and opposition. It means constantly watching and striving without ceasing, fighting the good fight of faith, filling every hour with good deeds, diligently cultivating entrusted talents, striving most earnestly to keep the commandments and be brought into harmony with God's law. Life is a battlefield and race to be run in order to be victor, not won by devising and scheming or making duty soft to natural character, but by receiving God's implanted principle, refusing to please self, copying Christ in self-denial and sacrifice, walking humbly, being faithful to duty and reaching His standard of perfection. It means watching for the Lord's appearing rather than testifying by planting, building and influence that He delays.
Recovery of the intemperate is such a race for life against death, run by men who put liquor to their lips and were bound as slaves to perverted appetite down to depths where the will is chained and no human arm can save from ruin. To run means eyes and heart and soul thoroughly aroused to strive for life, reaching for the helping hand stretched over the gulf to draw back, receiving God's grace to be victors saved at extremity of ruin with entire change and transformed character.
Running to obtain means practicing professed belief in living in the very last scenes of earth's history, so works correspond with faith and give telling influence instead of lessening influence by profession without works. It means practicing temperance and giving importance to institutions that advance it, everyone working at the right point, and stripping for running and harnessing for battle because trouble is upon us. It means feeding on the bread from heaven to sustain piety and energy, learning at Jesus' feet the simplicity of godliness, putting aside ponderous volumes for His simple lessons, taking His yoke and doing all He told instead of perplexing the soul with reading that cannot feed the flock. It requires humility and faithful use of talents rather than striving to be greatest, sharing the work, using change of gifts for hearers' good, speaking directly without tedious discourses, praying short spiritual prayers to the point, and remaining constant learners, for striving to be greatest puts one lowest and makes one dead instead of a living epistle.
Religion that wins is not tame but up and doing, leading to the front in eternal interests, militant and aggressive upon self and all unlike Christ. Obtaining the crown requires leaving self-justification and a hard unsubdued spirit, being softened and subdued by Christ's love without parallel so as not to grieve Him, and coming where the Holy Spirit works every power possessed. The path to the crown passes through the cross and is not won without effort and battles, and those who gain rest learn His easy yoke and light burden by experience.