February 17, 2002
“GOING
FOR THE GOLD”
Hebrews 12:1-2
I am sure many of us have been watching the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City the past few days. Lots of athletes have been going for the gold medal. How thrilling to see an American sweep in the Men’s Half Pipe event! We watched with anticipation the Pair’s Figure Skating. Would Russia be dethroned after 40 years of winning the gold? The Canadian team performed flawlessly following the Russian’s performance that, although lovely, had several mistakes. The audience gave a standing ovation to the Canadians and the announcers shouted, “They’ve done it! The Canadians have won the gold!” And then came the scores and the judges had placed Canada second.
Heartbreak was evident for the Canadian pair whose flawless performance, from where we were sitting, should have put them on top. Many felt that politics had entered that phase of the Olympics.
Thank God there will be no politics in Heaven. We Christians are in a race. Unlike the secular races it is possible for all of God’s people to win the gold – the prize set before us because God, Who sees perfectly, judges accurately. In Hebrews 12:1 we read:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of
witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin
which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is
set before us - - -
A great crowd of witnesses has already run the race and all took the prize.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
Just as the Olympic contenders have to abide by the rules set down by the racing commission so we, too, have rules in the Christian race we must carefully follow if we hope to win the gold.
1. “Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us.”
2. “Run with endurance the race set before us.”
What is our incentive to run well? Rather, Who is our incentive?
- - - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Jesus, the greatest runner of all time, endured the ultimate discipline to gain the honor of position at the right hand of the Father. The gold was His. He earned it legitimately.
So in going for the gold we must enter into the discipline of the Lord. We lay aside anything that holds us back and accept the fallout of the cross. We hang in there in His power, always keeping our focus on Jesus. With His help you can do that! So can I.
Love
to you all,