Contending to achieve the ultimate prize
The Apostle Paul, who had penned much of the New Testament, successfully comes to the end of finishing his journey of faith as God had directed him. In his letter to young Timothy, we read in 2 Tim 4:6-8, “the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
He also encourages Timothy to do the same in his first letter. He says in 1 Tim 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,” Paul had been diligent to contend for the faith most of his life and now wants young Timothy to do the same.
I thoroughly enjoy watching the incredible football teams in the fall competing to be the best in their division. The teams that have made it to the playoffs have become honorable contenders through discipline and winning games, having their eyes fixed on the prize of finishing as the ultimate winner.
It brings to memory the intro for the “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” show years ago. It aired on Saturday afternoons from 1961 to 1998, and would begin with clips of tremendous triumphs and terrifying defeats in sports, with a voice over that said, “…the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat…”. It would bring home the reality of winners and losers in the arena of sports.
Paul says in 1 Cor 9:24-27, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.”
Paul uses an athletic example to convey his message of contending for the prize to the believers at Corinth, who understood about the Grecian games, which were a major part of their culture. These were much like the Olympian, Pythian and Nemean games that were celebrated at different intervals over the years. They included all types of athletic competition, such as races, wrestling, fighting and much more.
Paul goes on to say in verse 27, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” Paul, as well as his audience in Corinth were well versed in the aspects of the discipline of these athlete.
They had to be in shape to be victorious contenders. Therefore, he is relating the entire process to the spiritual realm and the believer’s life of faith. Not only does our Lord want us to be apart of his team but wants us to be fit and disciplined so we can obtain the prize of eternal life and all of his promises.
Just as in our present day we see the different NFL teams and their members being subjected to grueling exercise and discipline in order to win the prize of victory. On the field they stand in unity and contend to keep their prize possession, the football safe and secure. The opposition tries in various ways to come in and take it away.
Therefore, the teams that understand the different tactics of its fierce opponent will have an advantage making them successful.
Paul’s example here is for the believers to run their spiritual race with the goal of winning, not just running nonchalantly. Paul also lets us know if were ignorant of the devils devices we will give him an advantage over us. As believers we must be disciplined and be ready to contend for the prize of the gospel that was delivered to each of us not to quit but contend for the prize of His eternal life yourself.
Bill Virgin blogs at www.billvirgin.com. He is a speaker, author of several books and pastors Life Christian Center. He has a Doctorate of Theology and has been in the ministry for over 35 years