Can you imagine running a marathon, coming in first place and then being told that you were disqualified because you broke the rules? Of course I have trouble imagine running to the mailbox nonetheless running a marathon. But before I get off topic, this actually happened recently. Scott Downard ran in the Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth, TX and won the event (at first) until it was revealed that he never really entered the event. He put on the number for his friend Jerry Faulkner who was unable to compete that day. Now I will say that Downard never tried to deny the truth and was stripped of his first place trophy.
Another example of an athlete not competing by the rules happened in England. Rob Sloan started the race and then dropped out part way through it. He then boarded a bus that took him further up the course. Finally he jumped from the bus and reinserted himself back into the race and was crowned third. Again the rule breaker was found out and stripped of his third place finish.
The final example is most likely the most famous of all. Rosie Ruiz crossed the finish line in the 1980 Boston Marathon in what appeared to be a first place finish and a world record. But the truth quickly came out that she actually only joined the race in the last mile or so. She of course was also stripped of her crown.
The obvious similarity is the not competing by the rules. We have so many people in the world that are not competing by God’s rules. There are some that truly believe that their actions are valid and pleasing before God. But at judgement day they will be shown for what they really are; rule breakers. Paul wrote to Timothy, “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5, ESV). A spiritual athlete is not crowned unless he/she competes according to the rules of God. We can look around us and see so many groups that call themselves Christian who are not competing according to the rules that God set forth.
One major example of this is what the denominational world preaches about salvation. There is a pattern or rules in the Bible that one must follow in order to get to heaven. This is not earning your salvation but competing in the race the way that God wants. We find one passage that shares the pattern of sound words, Mark 16:15-16. Mark writes, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.'” The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to this earth and died, was buried and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We must share the gospel (“Go…preach”) with those in the world so that they may also complete the race victorious. Then those that have heard the gospel must believe that it is true (He who believes…). Next, obey the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ through baptism (Romans 6:2-5) (“and is baptized will be saved”).
Now, you are in the race and must run according to the rules in order to get the crown. Jesus said in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” In other words, “run the race by the rules and you will be victorious.” Finally, this race is an enduring one. Paul told the church at Corinth, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). And then as Paul was nearing the end of his “race” told Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8 emp. jer).
What race are you running? The race that is set before us by God or the one that satan has lead so many into? Minister to the world with this message…
The Minister's Message 