After two weeks of intense competitions, the 2008 Beijing Olympics are over. The closing extravaganza reviewed the Olympics with stunning choreography, pyrotechnics, parading teams sporting glistening medals, and a rush of memories for all the participants.
Prominent winners now return home to joyous local celebrations—and some to fabulous commercial contracts. Most will proudly display their medals for relatives, friends and news media and then preserve them for family talking points for generations to come.
Occasionally, an athlete will dedicate a cherished medal to a supporting family member or a precious athlete’s memory. Mostly, these cherished awards will be personal boosts, elevating individual athleticism and induction of the winners into the select circle of Olympic champions.
Christians will also receive awards at the judgment seat of Christ, but their personal satisfaction in gaining them is only a by-product of their ultimate purpose—to glorify the Giver and lay up treasures in Heaven. According to the New Testament, competitors strive for mastery in the arena of faith, but the goal of spiritual victory is deeply contrasted with mortal recognition.
Usually this contest is couched in foot racing terms as in Paul’s word in Philippians 3:13-14. “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Running is also featured in Hebrews 12:1-2. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul again reflects the popular sport of his time as an illustration of the godly race. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
It’s all there: striving for the gold, proper physical training and follow-up discipline. Competitive excellence does accrue to our personal accounts. Indeed, Christ commanded us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).
Crowns are attainable for winning souls, resisting temptation, faithfully serving as pastor and finishing life’s race. These heavenly treasures have a superior enduring purpose in addition to our personal enjoyment. Revelation 4:9-11 reveals a future function of our rewards. “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.’” The word “whenever” indicates a repeated action. Here is continuous praise arising from previous victories to reflect the purpose for our creation.
British Queen Victoria was once quoted as saying, “I hope Jesus comes in my lifetime so I can cast my throne at His feet.” Her sentiment echoes the theme of the old hymn: “Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea…”
Each Christian runs his own spiritual Olympic race every day. The old gospel song by Esther Kerr Rusthof says it all:
It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus;
Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race, Till we see Christ.
Dave Virkler
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