1 Corinthians 9:24 Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. 1. There are few things upon record in which the exertion was so violent, and yet so short, as a Greek race. And therefore it stands at least four times in St. Paul's epistles, as the emblem of the brevity and the struggle of the Christian life. 2. We can conceive how the believer's career will look when he casts his eye back upon it from eternity. First there came a Divine influence — then a holy ambition — then an earnest determination — then all the happy self-discipline — then the race — severe even unto death: he rushed, passed by, and all is over — and then the rest, and the joy. 3. In that course all of you are occupying now your positions. Your stadium is the little span of your present existence — the spectators are the holy angels, the heralds are the ministers who call you to the contest, and animate you by the way — the umpire is the Lord Jesus, and the crown is life eternal. 4. Already some have run their course, and are not uninterested in those who are filling, after them, the same exciting scene. Others are just offering themselves; while many are midway. But alas I some have never set out, and others who did "run well" — but, bewitched with the world's sorcery, they have ceased to run. We shall only be fulfilling our duty, as the heralds, if we set before you — I. SOME OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE COURSE upon which your admission and your subsequent victory must depend. 1. In those Isthmian games none could join who were not freemen of unspotted character. As soon as the combatants appeared, the crier, having commanded silence, laid his hand on the head of each in succession, demanding of all the assembly, "Is there any one here who can accuse this man of being a slave, or of being guilty of any moral wrongs of life?" If any stain was found upon his character, he was excluded; but if otherwise, then he was led to the altar of Jupiter, there to make solemn oath that he would conform to all the regulations, and so he proceeded to the brunt. 2. And now what if God should make proclamation that none should be candidates for the crown of life but those who, free from sin, are obedient to His laws? Could you pass the scrutiny? The very scrutiny of which St. Paul speaks in ver. 27, "castaway" meaning "not approved in the scrutiny." If there be any secret love of sin, men may reckon you in the number of candidates, but God does not! II. But suppose that the examination has shown you one who, believing in Christ, is emancipated from sin, and obedient to God's law. Follow me to THE STRIPPING ROOM (Hebrews 12:1). There are some who are sadly "weighted" with many things, Hoarding money — personal vanity — worldly amusements — society where God is not — self-indulgence. What are these things but clogs? You cannot "run" with those things on. Will you cumber your energies when you need to stretch them to the uttermost? In the natural course, men are accurate to the ounce — and will you trifle with those fearful odds? You may set out; but if your heart is not in it, it will only be soon to creep, then to crawl, then to stop, then to lie down, then to go to sleep, and then to die! Go into the stripping room at once, undress yourself, else do not call yourself a runner. III. But now, entered on the race, "PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE." 1. "The mark" was a certain line drawn along the course, to show the runners exactly where they were to run — so that if you would run lawfully, take care not only that you are going to the right object, but that you are pursuing that object along the right line. The Christian's "mark," in general words, is the Scriptural method of salvation. This "mark" stretches itself out all along. "Press" to it. Every day consult your Bible to find your "mark." 2. At the time when St. Paul was writing there was a particular race in which every runner carried a torch; and he won the race who came in first, bringing with him his torch still alight. Some, running very fast, put out their torch; others, running slowly, kept their torch in, but arrived too late. Beware lest a false excitement put out the flame of love! and yet beware, equally, lest over-caution hinder too long! but let zeal and love, patience and speed, go hand in hand, with equal pace — for so heaven is won! IV. And now I see you in the midst of your career. Every race quickens as it proceeds; and the competition grows greater. YOU MUST STRETCH TO THE POINT. The secret of every race, perhaps, is fixedness of eye. Therefore the apostle has given us two directions. 1. "Forget the things which are behind" — counting our own past attainment nothing. 2. "Look unto Jesus." (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. |
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