by Dennis Nosal
Have you ever seen someone show up at a sporting event that was all suited up but they weren�t ready to compete for the prize? They lacked the mental preparation to compete effectively or maybe they showed up for the race but their heart wasn�t in the competition. Paul uses the analogy of someone running a race and competing for a prize to describe the Christian life. He points out that only one person receives the prize when the race is over and we should compete as if we�re the only ones that are going to win the prize the Lord has promised. I Corinthians 9:24. Actually, we all can receive the prize but we should compete as though we�re the only ones. Paul describes our race to hear those words, �..well done thou good and faithful servant.� As an athletic event, that may sound like only those who are physically fit or spiritually fit can run the race. But the race is open to everyone regardless of ones athletic ability or spiritual strength. But we must all show up for the race, ready to compete as if our life depended on it.
So if the race is open to all regardless of one�s physical or Spiritual ability, what does it take to compete in this race? The following would be the attributes of someone who has shown up for the race for the promised salvation, who is prepared to run as Paul describes.
1. Someone living a quiet peaceable life for the Lord ( I Thessalonians 4:11)
2. Someone bearing the fruits of the spirit ( Galatians 5:22-23)
That sounds rather simplistic on the surface. But what does it mean to live a quiet peaceable life for the Lord? It means that we�re no longer living a life to satisfy our own lust of the flesh. We�ve bridled our heart�s desire in such a way that we keep our lives on the straight and narrow Christian walk. We�ve conditioned our hearts to avoid the pitfalls of sin. Solomon warns in Proverbs 4:23 to watch over your heart with all diligence. The choices that we make in life are usually dictated by the desires of our hearts. We bridle our heart�s desire by producing the fruits of the spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
How do we accomplish this? We keep our hearts and minds focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, holding on to the promise of a home in Heaven. We show up for the race, ready to compete for the prize, by reading our Bible and spending time in prayer each day. When we show up for the race, we may be spiritually weak but God expects us not to run in place but to run the race with all diligence growing in Spirit and truth.