Going for Goal

The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio captivated the country over the last two weeks. They were the lead story on the news telecasts and in the papers. Televisions in the restaurants were tuned to the NBC coverage. People were talking about the current medal count and the latest performance of Team USA. The influence of the Olympics this summer has been obvious. It is just as apparent when you read the New Testament.

The Apostle Paul often compared the Christian life to an athletic competition. “I press on to the goal” (Phil. 3:14) is the figure of a runner stretching for the finish line. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1-2) speaks of the need to view life as a marathon rather than a sprint. And he even reminded his readers that “everyone who competes in the games exercises self control in all things” (1 Cor. 9:27).

“The games” that Paul referenced in 1 Corinthians 9 were most likely the Isthmian Games, held every two years at the Isthmus of Corinth to honor Poseidon, “the god of the sea.” They were modeled after the Olympic Games and included footraces, chariot races, boxing, wrestling, and even music and poetry. The church in Corinth would have easily made the application from these games to their own spiritual contest.

Christians are involved in a race. It is a race that has a starting point and a finish line. It is a race that involves hurdles and unexpected twists and turns. It is a race that offers a crown of life for those who faithful until death. It is an exercise of endurance that is comparable to the very games we enjoyed watching this summer.

A race calls for effort. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win” (1 Cor. 9:24). The Games were not for the casual, weekend athlete. If they were easy, everyone would have competed. But these athletes did not enter the race for the fun or sport of it. They had one goal in mind: winning. And they ran “in such a way” to accomplish that goal.

How many times have we seen someone drop out before the race was over? A new Christian begins with enthusiasm and zeal only to quit before they reach the first mile marker. A young person leaves home for college and then leaves the Lord. A faithful brother or sister becomes distracted or discouraged and strays off of the path. Don't just join the race. Run to win. Make every effort to finish what you've started.

Effort demands discipline. “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self control in all things” (1 Cor. 9:25). There were strict requirements for the athletes in the Isthmian Games. They had to prove that they were of pure Greek blood. They had to submit to a certain diet, eating foods that many considered “unpleasant.” They had to abstain from wine and sexual relationships, things that would weaken their readiness to compete. The games were a demanding endeavor.

In this same context, Paul wrote, “I discipline my body and make it my slave” (9:27). The word for discipline is also translated “bruise” and is the same word that the Greeks used for a black eye. Paul was willing to do that to himself to make certain he remained in control of his passions. Becoming a Christian does not mean that all of our appetites go away. But since our objective is to win this race, we must abstain from things that take us off track. This involves laying aside “every weight, and the sin which so easily entangles us” (Heb. 12:1). Discipline yourself or you are no disciple.

Discipline ends in victory. “They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1 Cor. 9:25). While we are accustomed to seeing gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded at the Olympics, a wreath was the prize in the First Century. In the Isthmian Games, the winner of the contest received a crown made out of wild celery and later a pine wreath. They endured all of the work and training and pain for a prize that lasted but a few days.

How much more should we strive and strain to obtain our reward, the “unfading crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4)? This “crown of righteousness” is reserved in heaven but only for those who fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Even Paul made certain that he persevered all the way to the finish line, lest “I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27). Press along to the goal. It's worth it.

My favorite part of the Olympics is watching the medal ceremony. I love to see the gold medal winner mouth the words of the Star Spangled Banner as the American flag is being raised. Even more, I want to stand before the King and hear Him say, “Come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” What more would you want when you've gone the last mile of the way?

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