the acts of the apostles-第59章
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share of honor； and even the city
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in which he lived was held in high esteem for having produced so great an
athlete。
In referring to these races as a figure of the Christian warfare； Paul
emphasized the preparation necessary to the success of the contestants in
the racethe preliminary discipline； the abstemious diet； the necessity for
temperance。 〃Every man that striveth for the mastery；〃 he declared； 〃is
temperate in all things。〃 The runners put aside every indulgence that would
tend to weaken the physical powers； and by severe and continuous discipline
trained their muscles to strength and endurance； that when the day of the
contest should arrive； they might put the heaviest tax upon their powers。
How much more important that the Christian； whose eternal interests are at
stake； bring appetite and passion under subjection to reason and the will of
God！ Never must he allow his attention to be diverted by amusements；
luxuries； or ease。 All his habits and passions must be brought under the
strictest discipline。 Reason； enlightened by the teachings of God's word and
guided by His Spirit； must hold the reins of control。
And after this has been done； the Christian must put forth the utmost
exertion in order to gain the victory。 In the Corinthian games the last few
strides of the contestants in the race were made with agonizing effort to
keep up undiminished speed。 So the Christian； as he nears the goal； will
press onward with even more zeal and determination than at the first of his
course。
Paul presents the contrast between the chaplet of fading laurel received by
the victor in the foot races； and the crown
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of immortal glory that will be given to him who runs with triumph the
Christian race。 〃They do it；〃 he declares； 〃to obtain a corruptible crown；
but we an incorruptible。〃 To win a perishable prize； the Grecian runners
spared themselves no toil or discipline。 We are striving for a prize
infinitely more valuable； even the crown of everlasting life。 How much more
careful should be our striving； how much more willing our sacrifice and
self…denial！
In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the single…hearted purpose that
should characterize the Christian's race for eternal life： 〃Let us lay aside
every weight； and the sin which doth so easily beset us； and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us； looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith。〃 Hebrews 12：1； 2。 Envy； malice； evil thinking；
evilspeaking； covetousnessthese are weights that the Christian must lay
aside if he would run successfully the race for immortality。 Every habit or
practice that leads into sin and brings dishonor upon Christ must be put
away； whatever the sacrifice。 The blessing of heaven cannot attend any man
in violating the eternal principles of right。 One sin cherished is
sufficient to work degradation of character and to mislead others。
〃If thy hand cause thee to stumble；〃 the Saviour said； 〃Cut it off： it is
good for thee to enter into life maimed； rather than having thy two hands to
go into hell； into the unquenchable fire。 And if thy foot cause thee to
stumble； cut it off： it is good for thee to enter into life halt； rather
than having thy two feet to be cast into hell。〃 Mark 9：43…45；
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R。V。 If to save the body from death； the foot or the hand should be cut off；
or even the eye plucked out； how much more earnest should the Christian be
to put away sin； which brings death to the soul！
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 unimportanta 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
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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
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words； his practices； his passionsall 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
