Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV): “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Jesus is our Supreme Example but modern day believers are also benefitted by the faithful walks of those who have come before us as they too set forth amazing examples for us in following hard after Christ. As the great Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV): “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Everybody likes a role model to look up to, Amen? The “Who’s Who” of Hebrews 11 also gives us plenty of examples of lives lived rightly to examine. In our verses or today Paul tells us not to merely run the race of faith but run in such a way as to get the prize. A prize that will last forever. So we don’t meander like Prissy on Gone With The Wind. Rather, Paul tells us to beat our bodies and make them our slaves so as not to be disqualified for the eternal prize.
One never outgives God either. Jim Elliot a martyred missionary once wrote: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to keep what he cannot lose.” Everything in this world is passing away – only things done for Christ will stay. Why is it we often work so hard for what is one day going to be charred in lieu of working and investing in what will last forever. An eternal glory that far outweighs all things earthly. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. Again, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV): “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:41-42 (NIV)