No Second Place in Christ

Bible Reading: 1 Cor 9:24-27

1 Cor 9:24 - Do you not know that those who run on a racecourse all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in this way, that you may lay hold.

1 Cor 9:25 - And everyone who contends exercises self-control in all things; they then, that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we, an incorruptible.

1 Cor 9:26 - I therefore run in this way, not as though without a clear aim; I box in this way, not as though beating the air;

1 Cor 9:27 - But I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest perhaps having preached to others, I myself may become disapproved. 

Our Christian life is like a running race, a fight to endure until we reach the ultimate goal that is set before us.  Many run, but only one is the winner and this winner is a corporate entity comprising of God's Overcomers.  This entity is His first fruits which He has set apart for bringing justice to the world according to His good pleasure.  Yet, this is not a lofty and unattainable status in this age of grace.  In other words, a call to become an Overcomer is open to all today and we can easily get hold of this life because the blood of our Lord Jesus is qualifying us to the uttermost.  Hallelujah. 

The Bible is instructing us to run in such a way that we become part of that one winner.  Do not be satisfied with second or third places.  On the contrary, be eager to lay hold of the incorruptible crown which will be our true reward.

We don't run a race without training, so let us learn to subdue our flesh and make our body our slave to lead a Holy life.  Have a clear aim because at the end of this short race, we have everything at stake.  May God grant us the vision of the Christian life as a racing event where we are contending for the incorruptible crown.  Come let us be part of the one Winning Entity.  Amen.