Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.
They do it to receive a perishable wreath,
but we an imperishable. 1 Corinthians 9:25
As I write this the 2018 Winter Olympics is under way. Hundreds upon hundreds of athletes have descended upon PyeongChang, South Korea for the privilege of competing in their area of expertise. An elite few will walk away with a medal; many more will exit the competition with little more than the satisfaction that they've competed against the world's best. As the opening ceremonies reached its climax with the parade of nations, I watched Greece enter Olympic Stadium. The NBC hosts, reading from script I'm sure, reminded the viewers that Greece always heads the parade of nations. This is because the Games were first practiced among the Greek city states. Many of today's Olympic traditions began in ancient Greece.
Paul was acquainted with the Ancient Olympics and refers to them several times throughout his various letters. In his letter to the Greek Christians in Corinth he compares his readers to these Olympic athletes.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, 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. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as
one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep
it under control, lest after preaching to others I
myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Imagine being likened to Olympic athletes! Well, you don't have to imagine. You have been likened to them. And this presents us with a challenge. How are we to ensure we are not "disqualified?" There is not one iota of anything we are able to contribute to salvation which is how we often interpret qualification. What Paul means here lies more with consistency, I think. Are you ready?
One of the things I enjoy about watching sporting events on television is the stories behind the stories. You know, the personal interest stories that broadcasters use to fill time. These are the stories that inform us of the great personal sacrifice these athletes and their families endure to get them to the Games. Many are touching. Some are nearly unfathomable. But there's always a story to be told.
Perhaps Paul had heard a version of one of these personal interest stories back in the day. Who doesn't love a good personal interest story?!? Or perhaps Paul, in his travels, had observed the disciplined practice of one or more of these athletes. Either way he sees something constructive for his Corinthian readers.
Paul has observed that the purpose of training is to receive the prize. And in his day, only one received a prize...a highly regarded laurel wreath that a winning athlete would wear until the day it faded. There is a purpose set before the athlete as he trains - that is to win. He sets aside distractions; he ignores physical pain; he endures thirst and sweat rolling down his back. His purpose is ever before him. Isn't it the same with those who follow Christ? At least that's what Paul suggests to his readers. In context, Paul wants us to maintain a single-minded focus, that purpose of glorifying God by spreading His fame far and wide, laying the gospel open at the hearts of people everywhere. Unlike the ancient laurel wreath that was awarded to the athlete as a personal treasure, our prize is an enduring one...to recognize and spread the unrivaled worth of Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews puts it this way:
...let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin
which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of faith, who for the
joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NASB)
Jesus endured for our salvation; He endured for the perfecting of our faith. And He was given the reward of union with God at the right hand of His throne. That is what Paul means when he tells us that we will inherit an imperishable wreath. (1 Corinthians 9:25) Peter, while he doesn't specifically write about perishable laurel wreaths from the winner's circle, does tell us that we have been born again with seed that is imperishable, "that is, through the living and enduring word of God." (1 Peter 1:23) In other words, Jesus, who is the Word, has bought us with His own blood. We are His!
Doesn't it seem only right, then, that we would want to follow hard after Christ? He has done so much for us. He has saved us from the entangling sins that beset us. We don't have to depend on ourselves. Jesus has done for us what was impossible for us to do for ourselves. He clothes us with a new identity - His identity.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that
you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once
were not a people, but now you are the people of
God; you had not received mercy, but now you
have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10
So we have our purpose. But Paul also talks about the process. We are in the race of our lives. And we want to win! While our salvation isn't in question we still want to receive our reward, don't we? James puts it this way: "If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God!" (James 1:12 TPT) It is no secret that life can be hard. We have an Enemy of our souls who would rather we find pleasure in "lesser things." That is precisely why Paul tells his readers "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things." (1 Corinthians 9:25) And goes on to explain "So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control." (1 Corinthians 9:26-27a) Paul compares the Christian's life to training as an athlete would compete for the Olympics. Of all the personal interest stories I have heard come out of the Olympics, not one tells the story of someone who is handed his/her abilities on a silver plate. These athletes may have abilities but they are useless on a world scale without investing hour upon hour of training, building endurance and skill. I have a number of friends, as well as my own daughter, who have run in either marathons or half marathons. I even have a friend who made the U.S. Olympic team a number of years ago but had to pull out of the Games because of an injury. I have watched relentless physical labor to achieve goals such as this. If I were to decide to run a marathon tomorrow I can tell you assuredly that I wouldn't get very far, at least not without putting in some time preparing. Our souls need preparing for this battle as well. We need to be praying and reading God's word and exercising our faith through our actions and words. It isn't something we can do alone. Paul tells us God gives us every tool we need - in the form of some very special fruit! (Galatians 5:22-23) Among this fruit is self-control. It's something that has taken quite some time to develop and there are still times I ignore its pull in my life! But it combined with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness is so necessary to live my Christian life fully. It is the exercise of this gift, for these components are part of singular gift of the Spirit, that causes us to display Jesus as winsome and worthy and glorious. And that's the goal! That's the prize!
I know that I am not running this race called the Christian life in vain. I have a purpose. I happily, most of the time, endure the process. All so I may gain Christ in His fullness! Every so-called sacrifice I make, every hardship I endure, every time I pour out my life for His I am gaining reward!!! And it's so worth it!!! Won't you join me?
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