“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.” 1 Corinthians 9:26
Dear Ones:
The Apostle Paul writes a good deal about a race, and how to run it. He defines it as an effort, discipline, and engagement that is not only wholehearted, but where every faculty is brought under control for the successful and satisfying conclusion. He states that end, or purpose, of the race by writing: “So run, that you may obtain.” (v.24) What does he mean by obtaining? Is he referring to some “work” or “effort,” by which we secure the blessing of God, even our salvation? No. In his letter to the Philippians, he wrote of the goal, and a moment when the finish line will be crossed. For Paul, he would write that his great purpose of living, and consequently of running this race of life, was to know Christ, “…and the power of His resurrection.” (3:10) Simply put, it was the pursuit of God, that knowledge of Christ, not only grasped intellectually, but in his whole being. It is the experience of Christ’s life by the Spirit. This does not mean that the Apostle, and every believer, is not complete, and accepted in the Beloved. But it does mean that there is a possibility to know God in an ever-increasing way and manner, which shall resound to the praise and glory of God into eternity. The Lord Jesus would confirm, and clearly declare: “…And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” (Jn. 17:3) The apostle Paul had but one overriding, and overwhelming, objective in life, for which he was running to obtain. It was the experiential knowledge of Christ, by the Spirit and according to the truth.
What is it that the Christian must know about this race which will give him balance, avoiding the pitfalls to faith that are so common? Beyond speaking of the “weights” and cares of life that would burden the runner down, and any “besetting sins,” or hidden sinful habits, that would grieve the Spirit, the runner is to realize that there are certain principles of the race that must be adhered to. The first has already been established, that of a clearly defined objective, or aim,…to know Christ. The second has to do with limits. Why is this so very important? Jesus Christ was the only person who walked this earth who had a perfect faith, all the time. The rest of the human race, because of the sinfulness and selfishness of the nature that we inherited from Adam, is faced with a “fight of faith.” Faith is not perfectly, consistently applied in the life. The believer will always have limits to faith. However, there is wonderful news in that God has provided wonderfully in Christ for any doubt, faithlessness, or “little faith.” In other words, He has provided for the forgiveness, and cleansing for all sin. Not only this, but He has given to His church the Spirit of Christ who quickens, strengthens, enlightens, and convicts the believer, enabling him to repent, and be restored immediately and fully to fellowship with Christ. The third thing that the runner needs to know is that there are great possibilities in this race, though not “apprehended” fully. Those possibilities, based upon the promises of God, are “…exceeding, abundant, ABOVE what we could ask or think.” The measure in which a believer can know Christ by the Spirit, and according to the word of God, will always exceed his expectation. Herein is the blessing of the race, that one can know God increasingly, and in great measure.
What about the length of the race? In the case of Abraham, God met him in a new way when he was ninety-nine years old, in essence, calling him to engage in a new way of faith and obedience. That singular moment would change the world because of the promises of the covenant of God with Abraham. The call of God to him was singular: “I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect.” (Gen. 17:1)
Dear Father, Strengthen us to run well this race. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad