Called To Win The Race

In the past lessons Paul has instructed the Corinthian believers, on the need to remember the spiritual things that they have been taught. Corinth being the second church that Paul established. He was particularly disturbed, that they didn't get it right. Here he makes his teaching relevant, by relating it to something of interest to everyone. Spectator sports were even more of a big deal then, than they are now. In Greek culture, a high premium was placed on athletics. People trained year around, just to receive a wreath. Signifying that they had won. Note... Unlike here on earth, this race can have more than one winner. Anyone who accepts, believes and confesses. Are entitled to this uncorrupt, unblemished crown. The Corinthians hosted the Isthmian games. These games were not as prestigious, as the famed Olympian. These games were carried out in Corinth. So they had a particular affinity or interest, for the Isthmian games. Here Paul tells the Corinthians, to exhort the same effort and zeal toward the gospel. As they do to win this wreath.


1 Corinthians 9

24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Run as if there will only be one winner. Though everyone has a chance to be a winner. Act as though they don't. People in search of worldly recognition. Seek something that's only temporal.We as believers look for spiritual things. We are not striving blindly, we know what the end brings. So in spite of persecution and tribulation. We must persist in our faith. We seek a reward only provided through faith in Jesus Christ.


1 Corinthians 10


1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Man's intent and ultimate goal, has always been the same. To be justified in the eyes of God. Every since Eve ate of the fruit,and Adam followed suit. We have struggled to obtain what we already had. Starting with the exodus of Moses and the Israelites. From beneath the bondage, of an unjust pharaoh in Egypt. Where they were required to make bricks without straw. The pharaoh figured if they had time to worship their God. They had too much time on their hands. He decided they could spend it making bricks. As soon as they got the opportunity, they were breaking the rules. Falling prey to all the wickedness and immorality. That had held them captive to begin with. At the first sign of trouble, they fell off the wagon. The Israelites being the recipients, of the original salvation. Through the God ordained guidance of Moses. That wasn't enough to make them faithful. Some of them were very poor examples. Here we can see an example of God's wrath. For the sin of fornication, 23,000 people died in one day. Don't test the waters, they're to deep. You can't go through life sitting on the bank. Half way in, and half way out. If you know it's wrong, leave it alone. If you want to stay dry. You have to get all the way out. If you don't know this. You're still lost.


13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

You won't face anything, that those believers before you haven't. Nothing is new under the Sun. You don't have to worry, that you won't be able to endure the test. God will not put more on you than you can bare.