Run Don’t Fall

Thursday, August 19

Run Don’t Fall   

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24

In 1 Corinthians 9:19 Paul discussed how he labored to make a difference by winning the lost at any cost. Paul now gives a strong exhortation for Christian self-discipline and self-denial, using himself as an example and the training of an athlete familiar to the Corinthians at their own athletic games, which were hosted by the city of Corinth. In a sense, every Christian runs his own race, enabling each one of us to be a winner in winning souls to Christ. Paul therefore counsels all believers to run in such a way that you may win, by setting aside anything that might hinder the reception of the gospel.

Paul grabs their attention with this question – Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? – This is a rhetorical question to arrest their attention. Of course they knew only one runner could win first place. Every citizen of Corinth would be very familiar with the famous races which were held at the games and that only one person wins the race. In short this introduction would have secured the reader’s attention to pay heed to the description of the far more important race, the believer’s “spiritual race.”

So then why would he ask the question? Well, he’s making a comparison. Now that he’s got their attention, now that they understand it, now he’s going to give the comparison of the Christian life. He’s comparing one who runs the race with intensity, having trained, having denying self, looking forward to the prize which is his purpose with the Christian life and how he lives his whole life until the day he sees the Lord Jesus. This person runs and does not fall. How? Because the Christian is running in a strength which is not their own. They run with the strength of the Lord. It’s like he takes you into the training camp of the athlete. You can smell the sweat. You can feel the intensity of the athlete. You can feel the sobriety, the seriousness of them. And then you understand the fuel flowing through their veins is the Lord.

Know – this race you are running is already won

Run – run with gladness the race set before you

Race – run with the power of the Lord within you