36. The Christian Race

Sermon 36 The Christian Race

It is interesting to look at life from different standpoints, and reason from different positions, to arouse an interest in the minds of all. This method of teaching was never more fully demonstrated than it is in the work of Christ while here. There is scarcely any occupation of which we have knowledge but what we can find Christ addressing us from that subject; hence we find that when He was here He always reasoned upon the subjects with which his hearers were familiar, and in which He knew they were interested. While talking with farmers He would say the kingdom of heaven is like a man calling laborers into his vineyard; when with fishermen, He would tell them the kingdom of heaven is like a fish-net; and when with carpenters He would tell them the wise man would dig deep, and build his house on a good foundation. From these different standpoints we see him arousing an interest in the minds of those who heard Him.

Not only did Christ use this method, but we hear Paul representing the life of a Christian as the life of a soldier and representing Christians as members of the same family, and all as lively stones in the same building, and all as pilgrims or travelers, and as all running in a race, hoping to obtain the reward at the end of the Christian race.

Having all these different channels before us, each man looks down the one in which he is most interested, and finds out the work he must do to finally enter into that rest that remains to the people of God.

With these thoughts before our minds, we now come to look at the Christian life from the standpoint of running in a race, hoping to obtain our reward after the race is run. In order to understand this subject properly, it is well first to call attention to some thoughts associated with the Olympic games, upon which our lesson seems to be based. If we can, from an historical standpoint understand the law that governed those games, and those who ran in them, and know that the apostles frequently alluded to the same to impress upon us the importance of observing the Spirit's law, we will be greatly benefitted by the same.

First of all, I call attention to the fact that all these races took place inside of an enclosure, as represented in the diagram on the left; the people ran by sight, as represented by the letter S; the judge sat at the end of the race to watch those who ran. Notice all these items in the diagram. It was the duty of the judge to lay off the race track on the inside of the enclosure, give the law that should govern them, and take his position at the end of the race track to see that all ran according to the law.

......The second thought we notice is that he selected heralds, and sent them to different parts of the earth to tell the time when, and the place where these races were to be run. As they went out, sent by the judge, it seems that they made no mistakes as to time and place, because they all received their authority from the same judge, and were compelled to speak the same thing. I observe as incidental items as they went out proclaiming their mission that people heard them, (2) they believed their story, (3) all who wanted to run in the race or to be spectators, left their respective countries, and went to the place of running, (4) all who ran in the race subscribed to the rules of government in the same, (5) they were then admitted through the door, into the enclosure where they expected to run the race. After briefly mentioning these incidental items (we now consider the third principle in our lesson, which relates to those who ran in the race, and the law governing the same). These games reached such magnitude that no one but a free-born Roman citizen was permitted to run in the race, and he had to observe the closest rules of training for months before he was admitted to the race track. Then all the garments he had been wearing, or the weights he had been running with to develop his physical strength, had to be laid aside, if they in any degree retarded his--progress, or hindered his running. After all these things were seen after and complied with, he was then admitted upon the race track, expecting to run.

As a fourth principle we consider the friends and enemies who surrounded the race track. When the young man could see the great throng of witnesses surrounding his race, many desiring his downfall, and many hoping for his success, this would stimulate him to run with all his power, hoping to come out as a victor at the end of the race.

The fifth and last item I shall notice was the crown given to the victor at the end of the race. While it was only a crown of olive leaves, plaited and put upon his head by some loved one, yet it carried with it the love and promises of many besides joy to himself.

We have noticed all the important events connected with those games, and, having them before our minds, we now make the application from a Bible standpoint, and try to deduct some lessons of admonition for the child of God who is running the Christian race for glory and rest after life's toils are over.

As those races were run on the inside of an enclosure, so must the child of God run the Christian race on the inside of the church of Jesus Christ. Some may claim that they can live just as good a Christian life outside the church of Christ as in it. But remember, dear brother, that the promises are to those in Christ's kingdom—not to those on the outside.Remember, too, that Jesus purchased the church with His blood; and if you run and win the crown outside the church, you win it outside the purchased possession—outside the blood of Christ. Then by whose blood and power will you win said crown?

In the application of our lesson we have—First, a judge, as they had one. After our Judge completed the divine side of human redemption, He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, and there observes our running, expecting to give us the crown after life's race is run.

Upon this proposition we need not to argue, for the truthfulness of the same you will find taught in Hebrews 5:9; Hebrews 12:1-2.

In application to our second principle we find Jesus selecting the apostles, and sending them to all the world to preach the gospel of salvation, and lay down the conditions on which all can run and obtain the crown at the end of the race. In their teaching we might notice incidently, as in the Olympic race,

1. People heard them. (.2) Many believed them, (3) Many turned from their sins (which means repentance). (4) Those willing to accept Christ as their Savior, confessed him before men, ( 5 ) and were baptized by his authority. These five acts of obedience brought them into the kingdom of God's dear Son—to the place of running, to the race track, where all Christians are expected to run.

This brings us to our third principle, as to who should run, and how should they run.: Remember that no one but a child of God (a Christian) can run the race, with the assurance of the crown when the race is run. As God has ordained a spiritual law to make us Christians, all should examine themselves by the divine standard, to see whether or not they are children -of God. If you are, remember that you are expected to lay aside every weight. Now, brother, what is your weight? Are you trying to carry the world with you to heaven? Do you try to hold the church in one hand and the world in the other? If that is your weight you must lay it aside. You cannot serve God and man more. If your treasure is in this life your heart will soon be there also. Then lay it aside. But then we must also leave off the sin which doth so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1-2). Along this line there is work for all. Brother, what is your besetting sin? Sin is the transgression of law, and in the sight of God there are no big nor little sins. When you examine drunkenness, lying, theft, fornication, adultery, evil-speaking, envy, hatred, malice, and many other sins, remember, dear brother, you cannot condemn those who may be guilty of one, while you, yourself, are guilty of another. Which of these sins beset you? You must lay it aside. The God of the Bible requires it, your eternal happiness depends upon it.

After examining ourselves from every standpoint, and finding out the sins by which we are so easily tempted, and striving to lay them aside, we are commanded to run. But how? Run with patience. But one says, "I have no patience." True, dear brother, but patience belongs to the line of Christian graces, and must be added. In all the ordinary affairs of this life you know how to add before your supply is exhausted, and certainly we should exercise equal judgment in divine affairs. You must learn to run patiently all the time, and not only during protracted meetings and summer time; for Jesus is watching your conduct, and expects to reward those only who patiently run.

After learning how we must run I call attention to the fourth principle, as that which prompts us to run—-the crowd of witnesses surrounding us. The apostle looks upon the members as being so great that they are beyond number; hence he calls them a cloud of witnesses watching the race.

Dear brother, many friends are watching your Christian race. Their prayers are ever going up in your behalf. Many a kind and loving heart is sad at your downfall. Will this not stimulate you to run? Many enemies are watching you who would rejoice to see your downfall. Your downfall would be their delight. Many temptations and pitfalls do they secretly throw before you, and when you fall it is just as they expected—just as they wanted. So they often laugh at your calamity. In your walk among the children of men, in your talk in your conduct, and in your zeal for the Master's cause how careful should you be to bring no reproach upon the blessed Son of God. Your downfall may result in harm only to yourself directly, but, oh, how many are watching you! How many may become discouraged and fall by the wayside on account of your downfall!

Not only are the children of men watching you but think of the heavenly host. Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, seated on the right hand of the throne of God, is watching your conduct. Think of the angels who would rejoice to see you come. It may be they are witnessing your race to glory. With all these things to prompt, dear brother or sister, run bravely, run patiently, run earnestly, the race set before you, looking to Jesus as the crowner and finisher of our faith.

The fifth principle in our lesson is a crown of righteousness that fadeth not away. This life is full of failures. From the cradle to the grave we meet them all along the way. The brightest crowns of earth soon fade and are gone; the brightest days are followed by the darkness of night, and all our earthly joys tare soon gone. But blessed hope to cheer our souls, Jesus has promised the faithful runner a crown that fades not away.

Then let us as brave soldiers on life's battle ground, fight the battle of life, knowing that we will come off more than conquerors, by and by. Let us, as laborers, work while it is day, for our rest will surely come. Let us as pilgrims run this race, knowing that a reward awaits us in the paradise of God. How grand and how glorious to know that when life's journey is past a crown of righteousness will be our final reward.

To this end let us all strive, work, and wait; for our rejoicing will come in the great beyond, in the city of our God.