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The Race Before Us, December 11
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 12:1, 2
.
In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the singlehearted purpose that
should characterize the Christian’s race for eternal life.... Envy, malice, evil
thinking, evilspeaking, covetousness—these are weights that the Christian must
lay aside if he would run successfully the race for immortality. Every habit or
practice that leads into sin and brings dishonor upon Christ must be put away,
whatever the sacrifice.... “Know ye not,” Paul asked, “that they which run in a
race run all, but one receiveth the prize?” However eagerly and earnestly the
runners might strive, the prize could be awarded to but one....
Such is not the case in the Christian warfare. Not one who complies with the
conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race.... The race is not to the
swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest,
may wear the crown of immortal glory....
That he might not run uncertainly or at random in the Christian race, Paul
subjected himself to severe training. The words, “I keep under my body,” literally
mean to beat back by severe discipline the desires, impulses, and passions....
It was this singlehearted purpose to win the race for eternal life that Paul
longed to see revealed in the lives of the Corinthian believers. He knew that in
order to reach Christ’s ideal for them, they had before them a life struggle from
which there would be no release. He entreated them to strive lawfully, day by
day seeking for piety and moral excellence. He pleaded with them to lay aside
every weight and to press forward to the goal of perfection in Christ
In view of the issue at stake, nothing is small that will help or hinder. Every
act casts its weight into the scale that determines life’s victory or defeat. And the
reward given to those who win will be in proportion to the energy and earnestness
with which they have striven
[352]
21
Ibid., 312-315
.
22
Ibid., 313, 314
.
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