The Race - 24 June 2010

At present we are in the midst of the Football World Cup and in two years it will be the Olympic Games.  In both events the top athletes in their own field come together to compete against each other, and attempt to become the best in the world.  So great are the stakes and accolades that quite a few have been tempted to cheat, and some have succumbed.

In ancient there was no football and in the Olympic Games only men were allowed to compete.  They had to show that they had trained and dieted correctly, and prepared diligently for the contest.  The athletes then had to compete naked to show they had no hindrance to their ability and only men spectators were allowed.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 [NIV]

We all have a race to run, and the prize is the ultimate accolade – a place in Heaven where we will enjoy eternal life.  But we are all tempted to cheat and at some point, perhaps unwittingly, we do.  It is called sin and it can stop us winning that most important race.  To live our whole life without sin is impossible for any of us, it was only ever done by one man, Jesus Christ.  We may have to suffer along the way, the race is a long one and many of the early Christians suffered physically.  Jesus ran the perfect race and it cost him his life, but in so doing he paid for our sin so that we do not run in vain.  We each have the opportunity to gain the ultimate accolade.  Wow!

If you choose to check the verse quoted above, could I suggest that you continue through verse 11. I simply couldn’t quote it all here.

Lord, help me to run with honesty and love, that by the time I reach the finish I will have run the best race possible. Amen