The Race

The apostle compares Christianity to sports. There are many different kinds of sports, and there are many different kinds of races. That is also how it is in the Christian life. Despite the fact that the Scriptures speak very plainly and clearly about running after and pursuing the things that are noble, good, and godly, only very few people, of all those who are converted to God, do that. They have almost completely misunderstood Christianity. They neither see such a race that has to be run, nor have a desire to run or believe that it can succeed. Alas! Alas!

Paul writes: “One thing I do . . . I press [race] towards the goal.” He does not say that he is already perfected, but that he presses (races) on! In 1 Timothy 6:11 he exhorts to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” Here he mentions only six of the many spiritual sports or races! To the Galatians he writes, “You ran well. Who hindered you . . . ?” In 1 Peter 3:11 we read, “Let him seek peace and pursue it.” This is also a very useful and rewarding race; namely, to be as peaceable as possible. There is a great lack of peace everywhere. There is no doubt about that; everyone is agreed on that point. Paul writes very seriously and clearly about all these good and noble and profitable races in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. From among all those who are running, there is only one who wins the prize, (that is, the first prize) in each race. Then he says, “Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” However, most people are not running in these glorious races at all! Neither are they temperate in all things so that they might win the prize, as he writes in verse 25.

In Romans 12:10 we read, “Be tenderhearted to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” It is of the utmost importance that we race to be as tenderhearted to one another as possible, so we can show as much brotherly love as possible, to the end that we might win the prize for having honored the others the most. There is much dishonorable competition in the world. Nevertheless, there is such a thing as an honorable race! The sum total of all these races can simply be called: The race to be most pleasing to God in the best possible way! This does not have any negative side effects. If you partake of more love, humility, mercy, tenderheartedness, generosity, etc., it will only be of direct advantage to others. This is as easy to understand as two plus two equals four.

What do you say to a race in contentment? Do you want to be along in this honorable race, dear brother and dear sister? Paul writes that it is a great gain, not sordid gain but true gain—first for yourself, but then also indisputably for the others. Because the more you use for yourself, the less there is for the others. Just imagine how helpful you could be to the others, and you would become a radiant example worth following!

Imagine being a glorious example in honoring the others? Then all the things that are its opposite will necessarily vanish first, just like the dew before the sun. They are: all criticism and desire to judge the others, all hardheartedness, all reproaching and bothering people, all accusation and complaining, dissatisfaction, unthankfulness, and everything that is negative. After that you could get an opportunity to begin fully with the positive things: honoring and showing respect to all the others, thanking and praising and encouraging all the others in word and deed. What a glorious future that would be for you and also for quite a few others!!!! Of course, it would have to begin in your home, toward your spouse and your children, your parents and your siblings, and then go further and further—and if there is sufficient time, if at all possible, all around the whole world! Ask me if there are any prospects for the future!

Moses was the meekest man on earth in his time. Imagine if you—by running after and pursuing meekness—became the meekest person—brother or sister—in your time! Then you would also at the same time be the one who exercised the most perfect control over his tongue! Do you want to run in this honorable race in deadly earnest with everything that is in you? And as you become more and more quiet and meek in the difficulties and so-called adversities of daily life, think what a welcome relief that will be for your fellow men, all those who have anything to do with you.

Run, my beloved friends, as if only one wins the prize! I wish you good success, good hope, a good desire, and good courage.