THE CHRISTIAN’S RACE.
Text: "So run that ye may obtain". I Cor.9:24.
In this present age there
are three classes of people in the world, namely, Christians or the Church,
Jews according to the flesh, and Gentiles. The Church consists of those who
were once in the other two classes, but by reason of regeneration by the Holy
Spirit have become members of the
We were born into this
world of earthly parents and we had no choice in that, and our new birth by
which we were born anew, born again or born from above, as the scriptures term
this supernatural birth, is not of our own works but is entirely of God. It is
the work of God in Christ that brought reconciliation between God and man. It
is the work of the Holy Spirit that revealed to us as fallen sinners our need
of salvation and Who showed us the way out; and God the Father in His goodness
led us to repentance that through the work of Christ on Calvary we should
obtain that great salvation even a putting away of our sins and iniquities
which He bore and the gift of Eternal Life.
Until that work of grace
has been accomplished there is no life in the soul, for sin has wrought its
evil work in the sons of Adam and they are under the sentence of death, unable
to deliver themselves; but the moment regeneration takes place life springs up
within the soul – a child is born of God and the family of saints increased.
This is entirely of God and
by His Grace alone. Indeed all that man may claim with his salvation is only
because of God’s great grace. We have no claim upon God at all, yet He has so
graciously placed Himself at our service and set before us such rewards for
diligence and obedience that I marvel at His wonderful grace.
And God sets before all
Christians a Glorious Prize – a reward for successful running – a reward for
something done. It is well for us that we should know what this Prize is and
how obtained, if so be we shall be urged to set out on the race-track and with
our eyes fixed on the Prize, put forth all our strength to the obtaining of it.
First of all let me draw
your attention to the fact that only permitted contestants may enter a race. In
some cases would-be entrants are barred and they cannot possibly win the prize.
Nor can the spectators win the prize – only the runners have a chance of
winning. All the racers have a chance – all do not, all can not, win.
The only condition imposed
upon would-be entrants in this race is that they have been cleansed from all
sin and filthiness through the precious Blood of Jesus and are children of God
Almighty. Every Christian, that is, is an entrant by anticipation, but how can
they enter for a race if they do not know there is one, and how can they be
urged to win if they know not of the Prize?
So I want you to see that
we have before us the opportunity of running a race and of winning the Prize.
If you have not already realised there is such a race I hope you will now
perceive it and get into stride quickly – and may God help you to so run that
you may obtain.
Some will say – "But
what is the Prize and what are the rules controlling the race so that we may
know how to run and what we may win?"
It is most important that
we discern the answer to this question. Let us look into it. In a race there is
a goal – the end of the race when we cease to run. It may be the winning post
or it may be the tape. But the prize is not usually set at the winning post for
us to see, but is awarded after the race is run and all the contestants have
finished running. So we have a goal and we have a prize and these two are not
identical at all. One is a place – one is a reward. Our goal, which is like the
tape, is Heaven. That is our goal. We shall get to Heaven because Christ has
saved us, and when I say "US" I refer to Christians only as only
Christians are in this race. We get to Heaven as a gift, but the Prize set
before us is Christ Jesus the Lord as Bridegroom. As Paul
says in Philippians 3:8 "I do count all things but dung that I might win
Christ". All other ambitions, all other aims, all attractions,
rewards or whatever else could be obtained, he counted as absolutely unworthy
of consideration that he might win Christ. Christ Himself is the Prize, and
this is indeed the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil.3:14.
We have been apprehended by
Christ for this purpose, for He died to win His Bride
and rose that He might take her to Himself. Some folk argue that Christ will
marry the whole Church but Scripture does not warrant such an assertion. The
Church is spoken of as the Body of Christ and every Christian is a member of
that Mystical Body, but if you will consider the type of Christ and His Bride
as given us by God in Genesis 2:21-23, you will there find that out of Adam’s
body (typical of Christ’s body) a rib was taken which God used to build a woman
for Adam. Even so, a portion, a rib, of the Church will form the Bride of
Christ Who will take to Himself a full-grown women, not a babe, but a
full-grown woman, mature Christians prepared and made ready to sit with Christ
in His Throne in Glory, a state or condition and place no carnal Christian
could possibly fill.
So you will see that a few,
a comparatively few Christians will be in that glorious company, the Bride of
the Lamb.
Would you be part of that
company? Would you share with Christ His Wondrous Glory in Eternity? Then you
must win Him; you must set out on the race-course and strive with might and
main to make Him yours.
Now how about running?
Well, the course is a hard one and may prove a long one, but there is staying
power for you, there is encouragement for you and before you is the Prize,
Christ the Saviour of the world all glorious and wonderful, marvellous in His
beauty, transcendently magnificent. Oh what men will do to win an earthly prize
– oh what will you do to win that all-glorious prize?
With a thankful heart to
God for such mercy and grace which has enabled you to be saved, get into
training, get into trim. You have discarded your old clothes and are properly
clothed for racing – wearing the robe of His Righteousness. Now set off! The
Word of command has been given, the race has begun!
Onward for a while, no
obstacles there, then suddenly, as a bolt from the blue, you find yourself
confronted with a hindrance. A temptation crosses your pathway. To take a stand
for Christ means taunts and jeers. Maybe old friends must go,
old acquaintances must be severed from fellowship. What is it to be? Shall the
obstacle be surmounted? Lift up the Blood-stained banner cry "I am
crucified with Christ; the world is crucified unto me and I am crucified unto
the world" and the obstacle rolls right away. But you’ve got to use The
Word! You must act and go straight for the obstacle with the intention of
holding fast to Christ or the obstacle will stay there all the while.
And on the race still goes.
Then comes a nasty patch. Oh its boggy and muddy and nasty things are said and
nasty things are done and even racers cause mud-splashes to rise and maybe some
splashes you in the eyes and you are temporarily blinded. You close your eyes,
you shut out the vision of the Prize, you stumble in
the muddy track and fall. But you do not need to stay down. "If we confess
our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness" I John 1:9".. and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth
us from all sin" I John 1:7.
Then rise once more, with
the mud-stains removed from clothes and eyes, and on and on you go. Forget the
fall, forget the mud – it is all behind! Press on once more – the Prize may yet
be won! Philippians 3:13-14.
And as obstacles come, as
hindrances come, use the same wonderful secret of victory – in the Name of the
Lord Jesus go straight for it and with the words of victory over sin and shame
"I am crucified unto the world and the world is crucified unto me"
you will find "sin shall not have dominion over you" (Romans 6:14)
and racing on and on, the goal attained, hear the words of commendation from
the lips of the Master "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter
THOU into the joy of thy Lord". Matthew 25:21.
I want you, each one of you,
to fix your eyes on Jesus. I would that you should behold Him
and seek to win Him for your own. He is willing to render all possible
help, all your need, and has sent the Holy Spirit to help us in our
infirmities. He will strengthen you for the race, He will
counsel and direct you, if you will heed Him.
But you will also know that
a racer does not enter a race wearing an abundance of clothing and if you will
escape a handicap of your own providing you will" lay aside every weight
and the sin which doth so easily beset and run with patience the race set
before". Hebrews 12:1.
Put off the deeds of the
old man – remembering He is crucified with Christ, and steadily, steadfastly,
persistently, consistently running forward with the Prize set before you, may
you so run that ye may obtain, and great will be your joy in Heaven, having
overcome through the Blood of the Lamb Who sitteth
upon the Throne and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.
Leslie Barrowcliff.
11.6.1937