“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Cor. 9:24) “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14)
Beyond the inferences of sporting events, Paul is saying that effort on your part is required if we have found Jesus Christ worthy to be honored in our lives, to be the central focus of that life. “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7) “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) These are but two of the requirements set down by the Lord for those that would endeavor to follow Him. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
They are stipulations that must be met first, there is no other way.
You cannot operate a motor vehicle until you learn how to, and even when that feat is accomplished you cannot do so unless you follow the rules of those who own the roads. That vehicle may belong to you, but the road does not.
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1) “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Eze. 18:4)
The Almighty has set down certain rules that are to be adhered to by all that He has chosen, if you do not follow the rules of the road, your privilege to drive upon them will be taken away. Those who follow Christ do not find His precepts a burden, they are not grievous to us, we do so out of a love and respect for His Holy name, we do so because we are His representatives in this life and would not have His name dishonored because of either our actions or inactions. Beyond those that profess Him only with their lips, there are those who indeed are saved by grace through faith who, after a time, begin to take what could best be called a nonchalant view towards their walk with Him, they begin to take the Lord for granted.
The most dangerous item in our lives is not the unexpected one, it is that which we are accustomed to, the one that is a part of our life on nearly a daily basis. Nearly everyone who has driven a vehicle for any length of time will understand this, for even maneuvering through traffic at a high rate of speed can be accomplished with very little effort or thought, we take for granted our ability to do so. Those who press toward the mark, the prize that is Jesus Christ, do all that they can to never make their walk with Him an expected event, they seek Him constantly, and when they lay hold on Him, when He reveals even more of Himself to us, it is as the sun rising through the clouds.
We should always expect the unexpected from the Lord, patient anticipation in that which we do not yet understand about Him being revealed to us. The cautious driver is always aware of his surroundings, yet can still move through traffic with confidence, for he understands not only the capability of his vehicle, but the rules of the road. The main disadvantage is the unpredictable actions of those who also occupy that road with us at the moment. We must trust that they also understand and are applying some conscience effort while driving.
It is that conscience effort that causes us to run a good race, to keep our bodies under subjection, (1 Cor. 9:27) to keep every thought captive for Christ (2 Cor. 10:5) to live a life that is honoring to Him whom we call Lord. Without it, we may succumb to the temptations that we encounter, we may fall and dishonor the Lord. Take your eyes off the road long enough and you will crash, stop adhering to the rules of the road and you will no longer be allowed to drive on them. To be crucified with Christ is to move over to the passenger side of the vehicle and allow the Lord to lead your life, to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit, to keep your eyes on Christ, and let Him do the driving. Your soul, after all, does belong to Him.
