Chapter 334—In Sight of the Goal
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
.
“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. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible
crown; but we an incorruptible....” (
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
). Those who
engaged in running the race to obtain the laurel which was considered a
special honor were temperate in all things, so that their muscles, their brains,
and every part of them might be in the very best condition to run.... Only
one received the prize. But in the heavenly race we can all run and all
receive the prize. There is no uncertainty, no risk, in the matter. We must put
on the heavenly graces, and, with the eye directed upward to the crown of
immortality, keep the Pattern ever before us.... The humble, self-denying life
of our divine Lord we are to keep constantly in view. And then as we seek
to imitate Him, keeping our eye upon the mark of the prize, we can run this
race with certainty.
If heathen men, who were not controlled by enlightened conscience, who
had not the fear of God before them, would submit to deprivation and the
discipline of training, denying themselves of every weakening indulgence
merely for a wreath of perishable substance and the applause of the multitude,
how much more should they who are running the Christian race in the hope of
immortality and the approval of High Heaven, be willing to deny themselves
unhealthy stimulants and indulgences, which degrade the morals, enfeeble
the intellect, and bring the higher powers into subjection to the animal
appetites and passions.... With intense interest God and heavenly angels
mark the self-denial, the self-sacrifice, and the agonizing efforts of those
who engage to run the Christian race....
To all those who fully comply with the conditions in God’s word, and
have a sense of their responsibility to preserve physical vigor and activity of
body, that they may have well-balanced minds and healthy morals, the race
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