The competitors in the ancient games, after they had submitted to self-denial and rigid discipline, were not even then sure of the victory.
"Know ye not," Paul asked, "that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?" However eagerly and earnestly the runners might strive, the prize could be awarded to but one.One hand only could grasp the coveted garland.Some might put forth the utmost effort to obtain the prize, but as they reached forth the hand to secure it, another, an instant before them, might grasp the coveted treasure.
Such is not the case in the Christian warfare.Not one who complies with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race.Not one who is earnest and persevering will fail of success.The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory.All may win who, through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to the will of Christ.The practice, in the details of life, of the principles laid down in God's word, is too often looked upon as unimportant--a matter too trivial to demand attention.But in view of the issue at stake, nothing is small that will help or hinder.Every act casts its weight into the scale that determines life's victory or defeat.And the reward given to those who win will be in proportion to the energy and earnestness with which they have striven.
The apostle compared himself to a man running in a race, straining every nerve to win the prize."I therefore so run," he says, "not as uncertainly;so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but 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." That he might not run uncertainly or at random in the Christian race, Paul subjected himself to severe training.
The words, "I keep under my body," literally mean to beat back by severe discipline the desires, impulses, and passions.
Paul feared lest, having preached to others, he himself should be a castaway.He realized that if he did not carry out in his life the principles he believed and preached, his labors in behalf of others would avail him nothing.His conversation, his influence, his refusal to yield to self-gratification, must show that his religion was not a profession merely, but a daily, living connection with God.One goal he kept ever before him, and strove earnestly to reach-- "the righteousness which is of God by faith." Philippians 3:9.
Paul knew that his warfare against evil would not end so long as life should last.Ever he realized the need of putting a strict guard upon himself, that earthly desires might not overcome spiritual zeal.With all his power he continued to strive against natural inclinations.Ever he kept before him the ideal to be attained, and this ideal he strove to reach by willing obedience to the law of God.His words, his practices, his passions--all were brought under the control of the Spirit of God.
It was this singlehearted purpose to win the race for eternal life that Paul longed to see revealed in the lives of the Corinthian believers.He knew that in order to reach Christ's ideal for them, they had before them a life struggle from which there would be no release.He entreated them to strive lawfully, day by day seeking for piety and moral excellence.He pleaded with them to lay aside every weight and to press forward to the goal of perfection in Christ.
Paul pointed the Corinthians to the experience of ancient Israel, to the blessings that rewarded their obedience, and to the judgments that followed their transgressions.He reminded them of the miraculous way in which the Hebrews were led from Egypt under the protection of the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.Thus they were safely conducted through the Red Sea, while the Egyptians, essaying to cross in like manner, were all drowned.By these acts God had acknowledged Israel as His church.They "did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink:
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." The Hebrews, in all their travels, had Christ as a leader.The smitten rock typified Christ, who was to be wounded for men's transgressions, that the stream of salvation might flow to all.
Notwithstanding the favor that God showed to the Hebrews, yet because of their lust for the luxuries left behind in Egypt, and because of their sin and rebellion, the judgments of God came upon them.The apostle enjoined the Corinthian believers to heed the lesson contained in Israel's experience."Now these things were our examples," he declared, "to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." He showed how love of ease and pleasure had prepared the way for sins that called forth the signal vengeance of God.It was when the children of Israel sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play, that they threw off the fear of God, which they had felt as they listened to the giving of the law; and, making a golden calf to represent God, they worshiped it.And it was after enjoying a luxurious feast connected with the worship of Baalpeor, that many of the Hebrews fell through licentiousness.The anger of God was aroused, and at His command "three and twenty thousand" were slain by the plague in one day.
