What comes to mind when you hear the words, “On your mark, get set, go?” Undoubtedly, these words take you right to the starting line of a race. These words cue participants of a race that the race they have prepared for has begun, and it is time for them to run. Maybe you are an avid runner. Maybe you are like me, and you have never run a race before. Whether you have run countless races or have no plans to ever run a race, Scripture teaches us that there is a much more significant race that each of us is a part of, and that is the race of faith. Whether we realize it or not, the race has already begun. The question is, will we run this race of faith that God has called us to?
The apostle Paul informs us that we are all running a race in 1st Corinthians 9. In this passage of Scripture, he asked an important question: “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize, so run to win!” (verse 24). Then, he reminds us of how athletes train for their races. He said, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize” (verse 24). Focusing on the prize ahead, athletes train and run with discipline and focus. The difference between the races that athletes run and the race of faith that we followers of Christ are called to run is that athletes run for earthly prizes that will not last. Their prizes and awards will decay, rust, or simply go out of style. The prize that each one of us followers of Christ runs for is eternal, so it will last forever. Knowing this, Paul explained, “I run with purpose in every step” (verse 26). In other words, Paul took the race of faith that He was called to run seriously. He wanted to make the most of his life, running solely with the purpose of knowing Christ and making Christ known. He did not simply stand by and watch the race from the sidelines. He ran the race, and he ran it well, writing many of the books of the New Testament and spreading the name of Christ everywhere he went.
My friend, the race of faith has begun. Are you ready to run this race with purpose and endurance? Are you committed to this race of faith, knowing Christ and making Christ known? There is nothing better we can do with our lives. Let’s commit to running the race of faith well. Are you ready? On your mark, get set, go!
Whether you realize it or not, you are running a race. You are running the race of faith, called by God throughout Scripture to use your life to know Christ and to make Christ known. Take some time to evaluate how you have been running your race. What is going well? What needs improvement? After answering these questions, what is one step that you can take today to confidently run your race well? Commit to taking that step today.
Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? 2 Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.
3 This is my answer to those who question my authority. 4 Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals? 5 Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?
7 What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? 8 Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing? 9 For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? 10 Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.
11 Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? 12 If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.
13 Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 15 Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. 16 Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!
17 If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
