Week 48 - Winners For Christ
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
When my wife and I returned from Toronto in May 2010, we were surprised to see a crowd of people waving flags at us as we walked pass the arrival gate at the Changi airport. I turned around but saw no one behind me. As we mingled among the crowd, it dawned upon us that the people were there to welcome our national table tennis team returning with the World Champions cup.
You can be sure that sports are again the talk of the town especially with the inaugural Youth Olympics and the FIFA World Cup matches.
In the Bible, we find sports being used as a metaphor for Christian living. The Apostle Paul uses sports imagery in his letters to explain how we should live as winners for Christ. He compares himself with the racers and competitors in the Isthmian games which were celebrated in the city of Corinth. Using the terms from running and boxing, he wrote, “I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air” (1 Cor 9:26).
Receiving the Prize
Section titled “Receiving the Prize”The winner in a race receives a prize. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians to “run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Cor 9:24). It alerts us to the fact that there is a way to run that would win us the prize and another which loses the prize.
The Hebrews writer points out that as believers, we are to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (
The purpose of running is to receive the prize. This means as believers, we are to run the Christian race, and when we come to the end of it, we shall stretch out our hand and receive the crown which the righteous Judge will give to us (2 Tim 4:8).
Following the Rules
Section titled “Following the Rules”Paul instructed the Corinthian Christians on how to be winners for Christ. It is clear that Paul’s life had a focus to it. He was not living haphazardly, but was committed to winning for Christ. His point was that just as everyone who competes in the race undergoes strict training and discipline, every believer must ensure he or she receives training in handling the word of God and in spiritual discipline.
In every race and competition, there are rules to keep. One of the words Paul uses for “sin” (hamartano in Greek) is a term found in archery. This word literally means “to miss the mark.” God wants us to hit the bull’s eye every time and not miss the mark.
Paul wants us to understand there are things that can disqualify us. “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor 9:27). We need to be alert and avoid anything that would disqualify us from being a winner for Christ.
Unlike in sports where one mistake may disqualify an athlete from competing, in the Christian life a slip does not mean that God is done with us. When we sin, the Bible says that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
We are not called to run the race or fight the fight alone. Christ is with us. We can look to Him for strength and wisdom. Besides, the writer of Hebrews reminds us we are surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses (
May we be like the Apostle Paul who declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7). Let us live in His Word and by His Word. Only then can we be winners for Christ.
For Your Reflection
Section titled “For Your Reflection”The Apostle Paul is perhaps the greatest winner in the New Testament. What made him a winner for Christ?