In The Race

Good Morning!

I am already missing the Bible study we usually have on Thursday night. We are foregoing the study so Keith and Ellen can get ready to go to California to see their son Jake graduate summa cum laude from the Bible college there. I am excited for Jake. He has a heart for God and a willingness to devote himself to God. After his graduation he will be heading to South Africa on mission. Congratulations to Jake Brewer on his graduation.

Our Bible study has progressed to the ninth chapter of 1st Corinthians. In it, Paul talks about his rights and his responsibility. You see, we all have rights. And there are times that we need to insist upon them. But at the same time, we have the responsibility to understand our role in life. Our goal is to share the Gospel message with people and help them come to know Christ as we know Him. Sometimes that means our “rights” have to be subjugated in order to share the message. Paul knew that! And he purposed that the job of sharing Christ came before any right.

It is sort of like the axiom about finding a place to sit at a banquet. It is better to take a lesser seat and be asked to move to the head table than to be asked to move from the head table to a lesser seat. One may certainly have the right to sit in the finest chair … but let the host seat you there.

I really like the last few verses of 1st Corinthians 9:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (New International Version, ©2011)
The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

We are most assuredly in a race. Our competition is time … for we do not know how long any of those around us might have before their earthly sojourn is complete and their race is over. The prize we seek is to see them with us in glory. Each will be a jewel in the crown that will be worn by our Savior, Christ the Lord. Seek the prize, folks … seek the prize.

Agape’


Mr. Jim