I’ve been watching the Olympics and staying up way too late without getting much done to show for it. I hurt with those who come up short and cry with joy for those who triumph. I don’t know why it is, but I just get all caught up in this stuff. I don’t, however, want to get carried away.
Most of us have enough fantasy to aspire to having a gold medal hung around our neck. I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that anymore than the many little boys who want to be like Michael Jordan (or now maybe Michael Phelps).
If we’re not careful, though, I think there is a danger of getting a bit out of control and even using the Bible to justify our selfish desires. Paul used several athletic images in his writings to encourage us to run to obtain the prize, to press toward the mark and other such references. Hebrews tells us to run the race with patience (pacing). Does this mean that we can pray for our team to beat the other team, or as individuals to triumph over others? If I am the chaplain for a football team, can I use these verses to encourage my team to go out and win the championship? Does God take sides?
I don’t think Paul had any of these thoughts about being champions in mind when he wrote these words, and the context bears this out. I was thinking of this self-centered use of scriptural athletic imagery just this morning as I read through Romans 8. You know the verse.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37
Much has been written, said and preached based on this verse, often including illusions to winning and conquering over others. Consider the following observations.
The context of Romans 8 is directed to all believers, not to any one in particular, not even the one who prays the hardest or claims to be the most spiritually-minded. Paul is not advocating competition among believers or our team against another. He is simply saying that every one of us can overcome life’s obstacles and opposition, not that we can win every competition, game, argument or dispute. In the biblical context sometimes being more than a conqueror is overcoming great loss!
Then, notice something else important in this passage from Romans. Look at the verses that follow and conclude the chapter.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
How do we overcome? How are we more than conquerors? According to verse 37 it is through him that loved us. Here in these final verses, the emphasis is not the security of our salvation or eternal life, but rather that nothing or no one can ever separate us from God’s love. This is an amazing promise and guarantee of God’s unconditional love.
Here’s another passage often used to fuel our carnal desire.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, 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. 1Corinthians 9:24-27
On the surface this would appear to encourage us to win the prize over others. No such thing. Paul is simply using a comparison and reminding his readers that in games such as the Olympics, there can be only one gold medal winner. To get that gold, the athlete has necessarily exercised great disciple, sacrifice and hard work. In real life, since we are aiming for an eternal prize, we should be no less diligent and disciplined. Few notice that Paul is using plural pronouns. He is not telling the individual to strive to win the one prize over others; he is saying that as followers of Jesus Christ we can all be winner of that eternal prize! This is the same thought I posted a few days ago here about going for the gold.
Email this post
Join me each day as I share what's bouncing around in my head and heart. I wish I had time to sit down with each of you over a good cup of coffee, but at least we can thank God for blogs! Oh! I'll take the coffee, too, whenever I can!
Entries (RSS)
Jeff, I was both surprised and encouraged to know you were still with KCBT. You see, I grew up there during the last few Dr. Dollar years and was there when you took the position when he left. My life experience was forever changed by KCBT as a child. My parents began attending there before I was born and after my father died when I was 2, my mother, rather than run home to NC, stayed put for 10 more years. Her name is Arlinda Parker. She sang in the choir the whole time we were there. One individual who had the most profound impact on my life was Harold Nebble (not sure if he is still there or even alive now). He did one simple act that I will never forget, when I was about 5, my mother wanted me to dress nice but she did not know how to tie a Windsor knot so one Sunday morning, she asked him to show her how. I will never forget how he turned me around, got on one knee, reached from behind, and showed her how to do that. What he was unaware of was he taught me as well. I never had to rely on her for that task after that day. The little things that show kindness from the members of your congregation last a lifetime. I was so excited to hear that your expansion project focuses on children. I have so many positive memories of the children’s ministry there even 25 years ago. KCBT was using multimedia before it was trendy. I remember them using overhead projectors and clipart to make the songs more captivating. I say all that to tell you that I am now a Children and Youth Minister and have a heart for the next generation and I believe that if you want to run in such a way as to get the prize, you have to stop once in a while to take the time to share the kindness and love of Christ with a simple act.
May God continue to bless your ministry!!
Lyle Parker
Lyle, your comments are so encouraging and a true blessing. Thank you so much for what you said. By the way, Harold is still with us, though he and his wife, Donna, attend a church we helped to begin a dozen years ago in the Overland Park area. They moved there to be closer to some of their kids. My youngest daughter and her family attend the same church. Another Harold story — my son-in-law, married to our oldest daughter, lost his father at an early age, too. Harold reached out to him on several occasions and did much to fill that void. Thanks again for your remarks!