Title: Race of Faith
Contents
race of faith
<Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27>
These days, in the Winter Olympics held in Canada, influential athletes from different countries gather to compete. Athletes who win gold medals in these competitions are honored in the world for being the world's best in their sport. That glory is not only his own joy, his own glory, but also the nation as well. We made everyone in Korea happy with Yuna Kim winning a gold medal in figure skating, the flower of the Winter Olympics.
But what I want to tell you today is that we who believe in Jesus are also people who run the race of faith. All Christians are racers of faith running toward the goal of heaven. In today's text, Hebrews 12:1, it says, "We have a multitude of witnesses surrounding us like a cloud, putting away every burden and the sin that so easily entangles us, and with perseverance run the race that is set before us." The “many witnesses” here refer to all the saints who have completed the race of faith and entered the kingdom of heaven from the time of Adam, the father of mankind, to the present day. Although they are invisible to our eyes, they are staying in heaven and still living in this world, looking at us Christians who are running the race of faith and cheering us on to do well.
Just as there are gold, silver and bronze medals in the Olympics, there are also awards for the race of faith. Jesus also rewards those who do well in the race of faith. Through the parable of the talents (Matthew 25) and the parable of the mina (Luke 19), Jesus told the saved believers that the reward of the kingdom of God is corresponding to what he has done.
Just as in a marathon race, all those who complete the race are given a prize (medal), so God also gives the crown of righteousness to all Christians who complete the race of faith. Therefore, today we must first finish this race of our faith to the end. Furthermore, if possible, you should live your life with the goal of achieving more glorious results in the race of faith. It is not that we are hesitating between faith and the world, but rather that we believe in Jesus and work hard to achieve the great glory of the kingdom of God.
Then, how can we advance into the great glory of the kingdom of God with great spiritual progress in the good race of faith?
(1) You should expect to receive an award.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24, the Apostle Paul said, “Do you not know that in a field all runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in the same way so that you may receive your reward.” A person needs to have a sense of purpose to run hard to achieve that goal, and to run hard to have the same results as running.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” This is because the Lord also wants us Christians to work hard to receive a reward and to work hard in the life of faith.
However, it is important to note that our race is not to envy or check each other like the race of the world. In world races, there is a strong tendency to envy and hate the opponent in order to win. Therefore, even if you do your best, if you can't beat your opponent, you will feel unfair and disintegrate. Japan's Asada Mao got her best score, although she wasn't as good as Kim Yuna. If you do it religiously, you should be content with your situation and congratulate Yuna. However, he was upset that he did not win against Yuna, so after the match he cried, saying “I am angry and unfair”. I don't understand why Yuna is angry and unfair when she has neither disturbed Mao Asada nor slandered her.
We should not be envious and jealous when some saints around us believe in Jesus better than we do and receive many blessings and praises. Even if someone becomes a deacon, a kwonsa, or an elder before me, there is no need to feel resentful and angry. Because the more jealous you become in the kingdom of God, the lower you become. In the kingdom of God, no matter how well you do, if you are not humble and proud and exalt yourself or look down on others, God will humble you. We should do our best to build high piety and achievements, but we should always humble ourselves in humility. Also, you must know how to acknowledge and bless others who are better than you.
(2) We must practice godliness.
In 1 Timothy 4:7-8, we read, “Abandon vain and false myths, and train yourself to godliness! Physical training is of little benefit, but godliness is profitable for all things, and there is a promise in this life and in the life to come.”
What does the practice of godliness mean? It is training that strengthens our faith. “Religion” usually refers to the attitude and actions of the heart that come before God. It usually refers to things that exalt God, such as worship, prayer, or praise.
However, even if Christians worship at the same time and place, there is a big difference depending on their attitude toward worship. Just as in the same figure skating, even if you do the same movement, your score will make a big difference depending on how you do it, so there is a big difference in God's view depending on how Christians worship.
Personal praise or prayer is also of great benefit to godliness. David rejoiced in giving his heart to God while shepherding his father's sheep, playing the harp and singing. Through this process, David made great progress in godliness and became a man of great faith.
(3) You must earn points steadily.
Jesus said, “Lay up your treasures in heaven!” Although a godly life itself is precious before God, our faith must not be limited to only godliness. It is important that our godliness bear fruit in our lives. Therefore, you must fully participate in good deeds and the work of God in your life. When the opportunity to save comes, I must save the greatest of all I have. And when you are given the opportunity to serve in the Church, you must be devoted. Then God, who is pleased with these deeds, will record his deeds and reward them according to his deeds. Therefore, we should diligently accumulate these points in our daily lives.
(4) We must overcome the slump of faith.
There were two slumps before Yuna Kim became a figure skating queen. The training was so hard I was about to quit. However, he overcame that slump and was honored with a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
We Christians also have a slump. While going through many difficult lives, there are also times when we fall into a slump in the face of numerous temptations. We need to overcome these slumps well. Therefore, when Jesus taught us to pray (the Lord's Prayer), he commanded us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil!"
(5) You must be able to control yourself.
Today's sermon, 1 Corinthians 9:25, says, "Everyone who fights for victory is temperate in all things, and they want to win the crown of the victor, which is corruptible, but we want the thing that is incorruptible." Many sportsmen and celebrities refrain from eating and playing in order to strengthen their body and stamina. If you do not control your eating and playing, you will fail.
What should we Christians be temperate?
We must be temperate in our desires, anger, and speech. Desires have the bare minimum to satisfy in order to survive. They are appetite, sexuality, and honor. God does not command us to give up even these desires. Because it is a desire that God has given for our survival. However, that desire always has a tendency to be excessive, so it should always be controlled. Otherwise, these desires become a mass of desires and lead us to sin.
Solomon was a wise man, but he could not control his sexual desires, so he took advantage of his position, wealth, and power as kings to marry many women, which ultimately ruined him (1 Kings 11).
Looking at the many medalists who have progressed to great glory by self-control and training with the goal of gold medal, we also look at the great glory of the kingdom of God, strive for godliness, and strive for good works and the Lord's work to receive the glory of the kingdom of God. I wish you all the best for moving forward. End.