<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The Olympic games get the attention of the world. \u00a0Even far back in history they were popular. \u00a0Paul used the games that were very familiar to all the people in his time to illustrate some significant aspects of Christianity.<\/p>\n

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. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.<\/em> 1 Corinthians 9:24-27<\/p>\n

The public games and contests started far back in history. There are old legends and myths that refer to them. But there are also archeological records that show they were happening as early as 776 B.C. That was in Jonah’s time, shortly before Israel was captured by Assyria.<\/p>\n

They became significant religious events. The Greeks and Romans carried them on in honor of their god Zeus. By the time of Paul, there were 4 different places in Greece where they had these big public sporting events. They were scheduled at regular times so there was at least one event each year. Most of them were within 100 miles of Corinth and one was right next to the city, so they were well-known to the people Paul was writing to.<\/p>\n

Contestants came from all over Greece and even some foreign countries to participate in the contests. They were sort of political along with being religious. The events included horse and chariot racing, boxing, wrestling, leaping, running, throwing the javelin, etc. All of these were considered very important skills, valuable for the type of war that was carried on in those times, which was mostly hand-to-hand combat. There were times when armies would declare a truce during a battle so that athletes and pilgrims could travel safely to the Games.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sometimes, instead of engaging in an all-out battle between the armies of two city-states, they would decide the victory by having a few men go through these small contests.<\/p>\n

There is a story in 2 Samuel 2:12+ where something like this happened. Saul’s army under General Abner and David’s army under General Joab came together for battle. They decided to have a small contest between some of their young men, 12 from each side. Since all 24 soldiers died, it showed that the two armies were of quite equal ability and they would have to have a regular battle to decide the outcome of the war. David’s army won that day.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 9:24\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The most common race was a sprint of 607 feet, a stadia<\/em> or furlong<\/em>. Only one person got the prize and became the hero. He would receive gifts and praise and public honor. There would be celebrations in his hometown. Sometimes they would break a hole in the wall of his home town so he would have a new entrance to come in at. There was no second prize – the rest of the runners went home with nothing. Imagine the effort that went into that race.<\/p>\n

Paul encourages us to put the same effort into our Christian life that a runner would put into this race – if you win you get everything; if you lose you get nothing – except that we all can be winners.<\/p>\n

Paul was never satisfied with just the minimum. He never said, “You have been saved. Thank the Lord and sit down to enjoy it.” No, he encouraged his spiritual children to strive for the maximum, to do their absolute best, in becoming all that God wanted them to be.<\/p>\n

Even Jesus taught His followers to go beyond the minimum.<\/p>\n

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Luke 17:10<\/p>\n

Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s ideal for His children. Godliness – godlikeness – is the goal to be reached.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Education<\/u>, p. 18<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 9:25\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And every man that striveth for the mastery (who wrestles and struggles) is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Greek writer speaks of the preparations a wrestler had to endure. “Do you wish to gain the prize at the Olympic games? consider the requisite preparations and the consequence. You must observe a strict regimen; must live on food which is unpleasant; must abstain from all delicacies; must exercise yourself at the prescribed times in heat and in cold; you must drink nothing cool; must take no wine as usual; you must put yourself under a “pugilist,”(an experienced trainer) as you would under a physician, and afterward enter the lists. Here you may get your arm broken, your foot put out of joint, be obliged to swallow mouthfuls of dust, to receive many stripes, and after all be conquered.”<\/p>\n

There were three different types of fighting matches – wrestling, boxing, and all-out fighting where any technique was acceptable. There were no rules in those matches. Just struggle and fight until someone gives in or gets killed. It was brutal. The skills they used in these “games” were also used in war against their enemies.<\/p>\n

There is a well-known bronze statue known as the Boxer of Quirinal or the Terme Boxer in the National Museum of Rome. It depicts a well-muscled and well-scarred boxer sitting down and resting. He has fur-lined boxing-gloves secured by thongs wound round the forearm half-way to the elbow. The gloves cover the thumb and the hand to the first finger-joints. A writer describes the statue. “The nose is swollen from the effects of the last blow received; the ears resemble a flat and shapeless piece of leather; the neck, the shoulders, the breast, are seamed with scars…. The details of the fur-lined boxing-gloves are also interesting, and one wonders how any human being, no matter how strong and powerful, could stand the blows from such weapons as these gloves, made of four or five thicknesses of leather, and fortified with brass knuckles.”<\/p>\n

Here is a description of one of those fights from Thomas Guthrie in his book, The Gospel in Ezekiel<\/u> –<\/p>\n

“Look at these two men, stripped to the skin, who stand face to face, confronting each other in the public arena. They have been in training for weeks and months. Strangers to the pleasures of ease and sweets of luxury, they have been on foot every day by the dawn. Abstaining from all indulgences which might enervate their frame, in hard bed, hard food, hard work, they have endured every trial which could develop their muscular powers, and add to their strength. And now these athletes are met to contend for the prize; foot touches foot, eyes watch eyes, and their spare but sinewy and iron forms are disrobed, that nothing may impede the lightning rapidity of the movements, or lessen the power of the stroke. The signal is given. Blows fall thick as hail; and now the candidates are rolling on the ground; now they emerge from a cloud of dust to continue the fight, till one – planting a tremendous stroke on the head of his antagonist – stands alone in the arena, and amid applauses that rend the sky and waken up the distant echoes, holds the field. At this moment Paul steps forward, and addressing Christians, says, “So fight; so win. They do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.”<\/p>\n

“Woe to the man, in these old games, who allowed his competitor to catch him off his guard. Woe to the man who turned to look on father, mother, wife, or mistress. Woe to the man who lifted his eyes but for a moment from the glaring eyeball of his antagonist; that moment a ringing blow fells him to the earth – he bites the dust.”<\/p>\n

What did the winner get for all his effort? A little wreath of branches, the kotinos<\/em> (refer to the photo at the top), that would soon wither and fade. The “crown” won by the victor in the Olympian games was made of the wild olive; in the Pythian games of laurel; in the Nemean games of parsley; and in the Isthmian games of the pine.<\/p>\n

What is the crown a Christian receives? righteousness, eternal life, glory<\/p>\n

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness<\/u>, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02 Timothy 4:8<\/p>\n

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life<\/u>, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0James 1:12<\/p>\n

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory<\/u> that fadeth not away.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01 Peter 5:4<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 9:26\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Here, Paul is exhorting his readers to have a goal, keep it in sight, and head straight for it. Don’t just jog around with no destination; know where you need to go and press on with all you’ve got.<\/p>\n

When I was young and learning various farming skills, my dad put great emphasis on a particular point when starting to plow a field: make the first pass as straight as possible by picking out a landmark at the far end of the field and heading for it, no looking around or back at the plow, just keep going straight toward the mark. He told about one time he picked out his “mark” and part-way down the field realized it was a calf walking along a fence.<\/p>\n

Paul also encourages his readers by using the metaphor of a boxer who is in a serious match, not just beating the air, shadow boxing just for practice. We, as Christians, are never just practicing; we are always in real combat with our enemy.<\/p>\n

Here is another description from Thomas Guthrie:<\/p>\n

“Not less does our safety depend on constant prayer and watchfulness. “Be instant in prayer.” “Pray without ceasing.” “Watch and pray.” Ah! you will never have to offer Satan an advantage twice. Should he catch you asleep, as David caught Saul – when he put aside the spear of Abishai that gleamed in the moonlight above the unconscious sleeper, and whispered, “Destroy him not” – Satan will not be satisfied with carrying off spear and water-cruse, or skirt of robe; he will not be content to prove how he had generously left you your peace and piety. Constant prayer, unceasing watchfulness, are what your interests imperatively demand. These the Christian life requires, and these the crown of redemption rewards.”<\/p>\n

I remember quite a number of years ago watching a boxing match when Mohammed Ali was defending his title. He used an interesting strategy – he tired out his opponent by just staying out of reach and moving around a lot, not actually punching much. When the other boxer was tired, Ali struck one knock-out punch that ended the match. We can’t afford to become lax and negligent in our Christian warfare.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 9:27\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0But I keep under my body<\/em> (strike under the eye), and bring it into subjection<\/em> (be a slave-driver): lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway<\/em> (be disqualified).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The athletes in those early games were under very strict discipline during their training. They had to follow a strict daily schedule, getting up before dawn, submitting to strenuous training all day under a tough coach, enduring heat and cold, a strict and spare diet, and no luxuries such as drinking wine. They had to be fully committed to their goal.<\/p>\n

There were strict rules for participating in the games. Slaves were not allowed to compete, only freemen who spoke Greek. Every participant had to take an oath in front of the statue of Zeus, saying that he had been in training for at least ten months. In the race, he had to stay on the track, on the white line. Judges would decide if the winner actually deserved the prize. If he had broken any rule, he was disqualified and humiliated and sometimes punished.<\/p>\n

Paul was very careful lest he should be disqualified after being a “trainer” himself. Do not be intimidated by anyone who might think you are a “legalist” just because you want to be conscientiously obedient to what God wants. Paul and Jesus were outstanding legalists. They were both very careful to do all that God expected.<\/p>\n

The best definition I have found in the Bible of legalism is 2 Timothy 3:5: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: . . .<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0trying to look good without God’s help.<\/p>\n

There is a verse that is often quoted to encourage Christians in their spiritual walk.<\/p>\n

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02 Timothy 2:15<\/p>\n

The word “study” in that verse is not referring to being studious in the sense of reading and studying. It comes from the Greek word spoude<\/em> where we get our word “speed.” It means “be diligent, put forth great effort.” Here are some other passages that have the same Greek word and give us a broader understanding of its meaning.<\/p>\n

Let us labour<\/u><\/strong> therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hebrews 4:11<\/p>\n

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence<\/u><\/strong> to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02 Peter 1:10<\/p>\n

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent<\/u><\/strong> that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.<\/em> 2 Peter 3:10-14<\/p>\n

So run the Christian race, fight the fight of faith, that you may win the crown. So live, deny yourselves, make constant exertion, that you will not fail or be disqualified and miss that prize, the crown of glory, that Jesus has waiting for you.<\/p>\n

Here are some things to do in pressing toward that goal:<\/p>\n

Give yourself totally to God; make this the most important business of life;<\/strong><\/p>\n

Olympic athletes commit their whole life and energy to training for the big event.<\/p>\n

But seek ye first<\/em> (primarily) the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Matthew 6:33<\/p>\n

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.<\/p>\n

Let go of sins, addictions, habits, things, anything that gets in the way of your spiritual life, comes between you and the Goal.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Runners, bicyclists, skaters, swimmers, skiers get rid of all extra weight, loose clothes, obstacles of any kind, anything that might slow them down.<\/p>\n

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience<\/em> (endurance) the race that is set before us,<\/em> Hebrews 12:1<\/p>\n

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Matthew 5:29, 30<\/p>\n

In these verses, the word “offend” has a colorful meaning that we miss because of our modern understanding. It is translated from the Greek word skandalizei<\/em> which is referring to getting caught by tripping the bait stick in an animal trap that snaps the trap shut when an animal touches it.<\/p>\n

Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. In every affliction, God has a purpose for our good. Every blow that destroys an idol, every providence that weakens our hold upon the things of earth, and fixes our affections more firmly upon God, is a blessing. The pruning may be painful for a time, but afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness. We should receive with gratitude whatever will quicken the conscience, elevate the thoughts, and ennoble the life. There are branches that are cut off for the fire; let us thank God if we may, through painful pruning, retain a connection with the living Vine; for if we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Review and Herald 9\/11\/83<\/p>\n

Don’t get tired and quit along the way.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In one marathon, as the runners came to the end of the course, they would make a final lap around an oval track to the finish line. One woman came in totally worn out and very dehydrated, stumbling, barely able to keep going. People ran out to help her but she waved them away. She was determined to keep going on that final lap to the finish line.<\/p>\n

As weak humans, we need to ask for strength and courage from God. We cannot run the Christian marathon by our own strength and determination. We need the help that He freely offers.<\/p>\n

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Colossians 1:11
\nAnd not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience<\/em> (endurance); And patience, experience<\/em> (trustworthiness); and experience, hope <\/em>(confidence):<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Romans 5:3, 4<\/p>\n

Don’t let anything distract you; keep your goal in view. In this life Satan will make sure that there are plenty of distractions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the athletes are competing, they don’t look at the crowd or pay attention to anything that is going on around them. Their whole concentration is on doing their absolute best and reaching their goal. The crowd keeps quiet until the end.<\/p>\n

In our collection of music, we have a recording of a group singing a song that includes these words: “Going home. I’m going home. There is nothing to hold me here.” It’s a beautiful song and the message sounds good; but it’s not very accurate for most people. There is plenty to keep us here if we allow it. Satan makes sure we have all kinds of distractions – people, stuff, business. We have to make some definite choices and commitments so that there truly is nothing to hold us here. Here is a statement that each of us should ponder carefully:<\/p>\n

Day by day and year by year we shall conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted task; but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer<\/u><\/strong>. Each one has a personal battle to fight. Not even God can make our characters noble or our lives useful, unless we become co-workers with Him<\/u><\/strong>. Those who decline the struggle lose the strength and joy of victory.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Ministry of Healing<\/u>, p. 487 (emphasis added)<\/p>\n

Notice that “Not even God can make our characters noble or our lives useful, unless we become co-workers with Him.”<\/p>\n

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.<\/em> Philippians 3:13, 14<\/p>\n

For ye have need of patience<\/em> (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.<\/em> Hebrews 10:36, 37<\/p>\n

Paul could look back on his life and feel satisfied that he had done his best. He could look forward with confidence to the prize, the great reward that Jesus would give him – the crown of righteousness.<\/p>\n

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.<\/em> 2 Timothy 4:6-8<\/p>\n