Chapter I: Corinthians 9.24

YOU have heard of the Olympic games which were practised in old times, hundreds and hundreds of years ago, and you may have seen pictures of the old ruins of the Colosseum at Rome, with its tiers and tiers of seats all round, so that thousands of people could witness the things that went on in the arena. Some very cruel things; but some, on the other hand, were simply men racing with all their might to receive a great prize.

These men were trained, for many months, to the highest point of perfection. They were taught how to run, looking forward to the spot where the crown was to be given them, without faltering or looking back.

The Apostle Paul described these games. He says, "They all ran, but only one could get the prize;" but he reminds us that in the Heavenly race, we may all obtain the prize!

This race that we are to run, is to try to please God in our everyday life! And he again reminds us that we must lay aside every weight (like those runners did of old) and the sin that so easily besets us, and we must run with patience the race set before us. And as the competitors did in those old days—they looked at the goal, and ran with all their might—so we must look to Jesus, who has told us to run this heavenly race, and who is waiting for us to finish it, through faith in Him.

Those runners cast aside every impediment; they were trained with the utmost care, so as to leave nothing undone which could help them.

And Jesus our Saviour, Who is looking on at all those who have undertaken His race, assures us, with most beautiful promises, that we shall surely receive the Crown of Life, which He has promised to those who obey Him.

You boys and girls in these days are all running a race of some sort!

I do not mean only your Sports' Day! That is most interesting to you all, and, doubtless, is very good for you.

But there are heaps of other races which come into your lives—your difficult lessons, your music, your drawing, your languages, and a dozen other efforts; to have a good education, and to get on in the world!

But Jesus is watching you all with the deepest interest. He says to you, that He longs to see you come to Him and join His great Race, and, like Matthew, "rise up and follow Him."

Then if you do, you have undertaken to be in the Race whose crown is Everlasting Life.

And for this race, the "looking unto Jesus" is the safety and the joy of it.

Satan loves to tempt us, and at our first failure, perhaps he says, "You will never do it; give it up!"

But Jesus our Saviour says to you, "Do not be discouraged; do not think of Satan, but think of ME. Remember, for the joy that was before ME, I endured to die on the Cross for your sakes, and I am the Author and the Finisher of your faith."

"It is I Who am standing at the goal watching, and it is I Who will give you the Crown of Righteousness that fadeth not away—'reserved in Heaven for you who are kept by the power of God.'"