Can You Run The Race and Win?

　
　
The Olympics are coming!
The Olympics are coming!
That is what you will hear from all athletes whose plans include a chance at making the Olympic team. The Olympics is a world-wide known event in which top athletes from all over the world compete for the gold metal, as to say that they are the best in the entire world at their level of competition. It takes years of hard, dedicated training to get into perfect form, to qualify for a place on the Olympic team. Some athletes make it but many do not.
But let us talk about something that in comparison, is like the Olympics, but in this race everyone can win.
It is called the race for your eternal destiny. Can you run the race against all odds and win your reward in heaven? In the Olympics, only one person receives the top prize of the gold metal. But the Apostle Paul said in:
I Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Paul says to run that ye may obtain. Obtain what? He tells us in:
II Timothy 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
So in this race for heaven, we may all receive the prize!
To qualify for the Olympic team, an athlete must train daily to work out flaws and perfect his skills and talents.
Paul also said in:
II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In reading and studying God's word, we are going through the training and perfecting of our skills to continue in running the race towards heaven.
When competing in the Olympics all athletes must wear a uniform of some sort which identifies which country they represent as well as for protection. As we run the race towards heaven, we must be clothed in God's uniform so that when the obstacles of life come in our way, we will be protected and able to stand against those obstacles that would try to hinder us in our race towards heaven. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:11,13-17
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
For the athlete, there are always sacrifices to be made. Because for them, the reward of winning the Olympics is far greater than that which was sacrificed. In the race for heaven we must also make sacrifices. For our reward will be far greater in heaven at the end of this earthly race.
Peter tells us in I Peter 2:11,
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Paul also tells us in Titus 2:12,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Even Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24,
Then Jesus said unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Self-sacrifice is essential in order to run any race. It helps in the training of a person and also shows commitment on the part of the athlete and Christian.
In the Olympics, an athlete must be able to endure many things in order to win. These things range from exhaustion, fatigue, pressures upon them to win, etc. The athlete's endurance must withstand all.
In the race to heaven, we must also have the endurance as well, in order to withstand against all things contrary to a Christian life that could tear down our chances of winning the race.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:13,
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Paul tells us in II Timothy 2:10,
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Endurance is one of the most important qualities to possess in order to run any race. Especially in the race to heaven. Paul gives us something good to remember in: Philippians 4:13,
I can do all things through Christ which strentheneth me.
With Jesus Christ on our side training us, as an athlete's coach would train them, we CAN win the race to heaven and receive our eternal prize. For some, the Olympics is a once in a lifetime chance to be labeled the best. In this life we live here on earth, this IS our once in a lifetime chance to win the race to heaven. After this life here on earth, the chances are over.
Can you run the race?
Can you run the race, and win?
1996