Run to win!

Unlike the modern Olympic Games where gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the first three places respectively, in the ancient games, only the winner received the crown.

There was no second place award – winning was everything! Paul encouraged the believers in Corinth to run the race of the Christian life to obtain the prize.

“Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run“. Just as runners in a footrace must practice certain disciplines to make it possible for them to win a race, so also Christians must practice certain disciplines to make it possible for them to win the spiritual prize.

“but one receives the prize?“. ◦ In an athletic contest, only one person can win first prize, but athletics often provide lesser prizes as well. ◦ Many people will win a place in the kingdom of God. Nevertheless, this phrase contains a warning. Just as there are winners and losers in athletic contests, so also there will be winners and losers when it comes to spiritual prizes. Many “Christians” will be lost!

“So run that you may obtain”. It is quite otherwise in the Christian race than in your races; only one wins the prize in them. You may all run so as to obtain. You have great encouragement, therefore, to persist constantly, and diligently, and vigorously, in your course. There is room for all to get the prize. You cannot fail if you run well.



Most of the effort required for winning a footrace (or any contest) takes place before the day of the race. Winning today requires practicing yesterday—and the day before—and the day before that. It also requires disciplines of other sorts, having to do with sleep, diet, studying the competition, developing strategy, etc. The game in which the competitor competes is only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the effort lies below the surface, out of sight.

What disciplines do we need to observe to win the spiritual prize? Traditional Christian disciplines include Bible reading, prayer, and fasting. However, other disciplines come to mind as well. Jesus emphasized feeding the hungry, giving the thirsty something to drink, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, taking care of the sick, and visiting the prisoner. Few Christians do all of these things, and none do them perfectly. We all depend on the grace of God. However, spiritual disciplines bring us closer to God— closer to becoming the people God created us to be— better fitted for the kingdom of God.

◦ In Paul’s day, winners of athletic contests received wreaths of laurel branches, olive branches, or celery. Those prizes had no intrinsic monetary value, but competitors prized them for the same reason that football players prize a Super Bowl ring. People knew that the one possessing the wreath was the best of the best. ◦ Paul contrasts those wreaths, which would soon wither, with the spiritual prize that he is calling Corinthian Christians to pursue. Laurel wreaths were highly perishable, but the prize that Christians pursue is imperishable, “eternal, in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).



◦ I do not run like one ignorant of what he is about, or of the laws of the course; I know that there is an eternal life; I know the way that leads to it; and I know and feel the power of it. ◦ The eyes of all the spectators were fixed on those who ran in these races; and to gain the applause of the multitude, they stretched every nerve; the apostle knew that the eyes of all were fixed upon him. ◦ His false brethren waited for his halting: ◦ The persecuting Jews and Gentiles longed for his downfall: ◦ The Church of Christ looked on him with anxiety: And he acted in all things as under the immediate eye of God.

He did not miss his aim; he did not exert himself and spend his strength for nothing. Every blow that he struck told; and he did not waste his energies on that which would produce no result. He did not strive with rash, ill- advised, or uncertain blows; but all his efforts were directed, with good account, to the grand purpose or subjugating his enemy - sin - and the corrupt desires of the flesh - and bringing everything into captivity to God.

An Invisible Struggle We have before us in the Word of God instances of heavenly agencies working on the minds of kings and rulers, while at the same time satanic agencies were also at work on their minds. No human eloquence, in strongly set forth human opinions, can change the working of satanic agencies. Satan seeks continually to block the way, so that the truth shall be bound about by human devising; and those who have light and knowledge are in the greatest danger unless they constantly consecrate themselves to God, humiliating self, and realizing the peril of the times.

As a people we do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Evil angels are constantly at work, planning their line of attack, controlling as commanders, kings, and rulers, the disloyal human forces [Eph. 6:12] ..... Do not indulge in fanciful speculations. The written Word is our only safety. We must pray as did Daniel, that we may be guarded by heavenly intelligences.

As ministering spirits angels are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Pray, my brethren, pray as you have never prayed before. We are not prepared for the Lord's coming. We need to make thorough work for eternity.

There is no such thing as our entering the heavenly portals through indulgence and folly, amusement, selfishness, but only by constant watchfulness and unceasing prayer. Spiritual vigilance on our part individually is the price of safety. Swerve not to Satan's side a single inch, lest he gain advantage over you.

Constant Warfare of the Angels If the curtain could be rolled back, and each one could discern the constant activities of the heavenly family to preserve the inhabitants of the earth from Satan's seductive wiles, lest in their careless attitude they should be led astray through satanic strategy, they would lose a large degree of their self- confidence and self-assurance. They would see that the armies of heaven are in continual warfare with satanic agencies, to obtain victories in behalf of those who do not sense their danger, and who are passing on in unconscious indifference.



◦ The allusion is still to fighters, who, by cuffing and boxing, give their antagonists black and blue eyes.... ◦ This is not to be understood by the apostle of his natural body, but of the body of sin, the corruption of nature, of the mortifying the deeds of the body through the Spirit, of crucifying the affections with the lusts, of putting off the old man with his deeds, as concerning the former conversation, and of making no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

◦ ... so as not to serve and obey it in the lusts thereof; but to have the ascendant of it, and government over it, that it does not, and cannot reign as it formerly did: the allusion is still to the combatant, who gets and keeps his antagonist under him, and has the command of him, and throws him on the ground, or drags him about at pleasure.

The champion sprinter spends 90 minutes in the gym every day (6 days a week) doing workouts that are geared toward improving his speed and agility while maintaining an athletic body. He concentrates on core-centric exercises to condition his weak core muscles. Moreover, these exercises help in enhancing muscle strength and explosiveness, as well as increasing the flexibility to stretch the stride.

 Leg Raises (sets: 3, rest: 30secs)  Side Sweeps (3 sets with 30secs rest)  Reverse Crunches (sets: 3, rest: 30secs)  Side Plank Clams (3 sets with 30secs rest)  Bunny Hops (sets: 5, reps: 20)  Box Jumps (sets: 4, reps: 8)  Bounding (sets: 3, reps: 10)  Cable Knee Drives (sets: 3, reps: 10)  Hanging Leg Raises (sets: 3, reps: 10)

 Since the Jamaican gold-medalist loves having chicken wings and nuggets, his personal chef makes sure that Usain’s body remains toned and athletic. His diet comprises yam, a superfood that helps boost energy and fights muscle inflammation. Moreover, he tries to restrain himself from giving way to his fast-food habits.

Ali started his day off with early morning runs at 5:30 AM. He would stretch beforehand and then would run 6 miles a day in army type-boots in under 40 minutes. Ali made sure he ate a wholesome breakfast, eating all natural foods while drinking orange juice and plenty of water. After he ran, he would perform some exercises, stretch, and then go back home to get washed up.

Ali then went to the gym at 12:30 PM for three hours. After the gym, he would get a massage rub down and then get washed up. Then he would talk with the TV people, go out and enjoy himself, and then eat dinner.

“lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected“. The great irony would if Paul were to proclaim the Gospel to other people (presumably in such a manner as to help them to win their salvation) while living a life that would disqualify him for that spiritual prize. He is determined not to allow that to happen. He practices spiritual disciplines himself so that he might be fitted for the kingdom of God.

No renewed heart can be kept in a condition of sweetness without the daily application of the salt of the Word. Divine grace must be received daily, or no man will stay converted.—Our High Calling, 215 (1897). Let your faith be substantiated by the Word of God. Grasp firmly the living testimony of truth. Have faith in Christ as a personal Saviour. He has been and ever will be our Rock of Ages.—Evangelism, 362 (1905). Last Day Events 65-66

Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should make by diligently studying the Word of God and striving to conform their lives to its precepts.— Prophets and Kings, 626 (c. 1914). None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.—The Great Controversy, 593, 594 (1911). Last Day Events 65-66

Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive.—The Great Controversy, 625 (1911). Our people need to understand the oracles of God; they need to have a systematic knowledge of the principles of revealed truth, which will fit them for what is coming upon the earth and prevent them from being carried about by every wind of doctrine.—Testimonies for the Church 5:273 (1885). Last Day Events 65-66