Running the race

[Lamb]

I was going to do this in my blog but I chose to post here so I can get other opinions.

In our current day and age we think of a race as having one real winner at the top. That's the person who crosses the finish line first. There may be 2nd, 3rd or any other places but they aren't the true winner. First place wins.

On the tv show Dance Moms, Abbey Lee Miller says that 2nd place is the first to lose.

In the bible Paul talks about running the race and finishing. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.

In 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

We see that the life of the Christian can be compared to running a race and enduring to the end. Yet, we also know that there won't be just one Christian believer who receives salvation when we die or when Christ comes again. All believers who endure in faith to the end will receive the prize.

Hebrews 12:1-2 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

What brought all this in my head was how people complain that today everyone wants a trophy for finishing. But isn't that what we receive in the Christian race of faith until the end?

 

[MoreCoffee]

I think that saint Paul's purpose was to explain that the faithful need to keep striving for the goal set before them and to keep it up to the best of their ability.

 

[Josiah]

I think that saint Paul's purpose was to explain that the faithful need to keep striving for the goal set before them and to keep it up to the best of their ability.

I agree. Winning the rice doesn't imply the ONLY one winning, indeed, I think we are to support and help one another in hopes that we ALL finish the race and thus win. IMO, "win" does not imply causing all others to loose.

 

[Brighten04]

I was going to do this in my blog but I chose to post here so I can get other opinions.

In our current day and age we think of a race as having one real winner at the top. That's the person who crosses the finish line first. There may be 2nd, 3rd or any other places but they aren't the true winner. First place wins.

On the tv show Dance Moms, Abbey Lee Miller says that 2nd place is the first to lose.

In the bible Paul talks about running the race and finishing. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.

In 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

We see that the life of the Christian can be compared to running a race and enduring to the end. Yet, we also know that there won't be just one Christian believer who receives salvation when we die or when Christ comes again. All believers who endure in faith to the end will receive the prize.

Hebrews 12:1-2 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

What brought all this in my head was how people complain that today everyone wants a trophy for finishing. But isn't that what we receive in the Christian race of faith until the end?

IMHO the spirit of competition is not a good spirit. But we court it. We al root for the home team, but we cry when the home team loses. Have you ever seen the movie Cool Runnings? Or how about Akeela and the Bee. If you have not seen them, do. My winning does not have to mean your loss. Finishing the race or sticking it out, staying the course, imho should matter the most.

 

[psalms 91]

I think Paul makes it clear that it is finishing the race that is important nto winning.

 

[Lamb]

Do you think the biblical mindset of the race is a self win and not a competition per se?

 

[Josiah]

MY view is that to "win" is a personal thing - not a competitive thing. God desires we ALL win!


All this reminds me of my swim team days.... There are several ways in which competitions can be judged. The DANISH way is that each contestant is "judged" against some abstract standard, so that it's possible that all the contestants get a first place (or at least "win") since all exceeded the standard. A lot of teachers grade by the DANISH method. I know some Danes...... I have relatives in Denmark..... as a group, they are very embracing people: I don't think have a problem with the whole "We're ALL winners!" mentality. But most of us (not living in Denmark) are familiar with the competitive model: someone comes in first! Someone wins and someone looses! Some in the class get an A and others get an F because of how far behind the A's they are (Even though maybe they got 90%). Well..... even in sanctification, maybe God is Danish?

 

[MoreCoffee]

Do you think the biblical mindset of the race is a self win and not a competition per se?

The passage makes saint Paul's intent clear.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1Co 9:24-27)​

He also writes.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2)​

In both cases the emphasis is on preparation for the race, the goal of the preparation is to win. There is only one winner. None of this teaches that the faithful are competing against one another. The competition is against sins.

 

[Lamb]

Josiah, I did not know about the Danish racing. It's good to learn about other races besides what we're taught.

MC the verses you pointed out are stating the race is toward Jesus. Sins get in our way but we aren't earning our way to eternal life. Jesus won that for us. He is our goal.

 

[Wilhemena]

I would like to point out that perhaps it isn't always about winning the race but not losing it in terms of the Christian who strives to remain true.

 

[MoreCoffee]

I would like to point out that perhaps it isn't always about winning the race but not losing it in terms of the Christian who strives to remain true.

It is important not to lose the race as you say, Paul said he wanted to avoid disqualifying himself observing that he pommelled his body and subdued it, lest after preaching to others he himself should be disqualified. The battle is against spiritual forces rather than against people. The race that the faithful must win is a race against every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and run with perseverance the race that is set before us.