Wisdom's Corner
Do You Qualify for the Race?

In past issues I wrote about the great athletic coliseums that the Greeks and Romans used in the first century. Some would hold as many as 100,000 spectators. The track was oval in shape and in the center of the track were statues of important people. There were distance markers as well. And there was a seat for the judge of the race.

The judge was seated next to the finish line or marker. He had the authority to declare the winner of the race. The runners would keep their eyes focused on him as they ran toward the finish of the race.

But the judge did not just decide who was the winner of a race. The judge had the authority to decide who could enter the race. An athlete that wanted to compete in the race had to meet certain qualifications. That meant that he had to abide by certain rules. He had to turn in his registration to the judge. The judge would look over his "papers" and decide if the athlete qualified to compete.

The judge's decision was final. So the athlete had to do what the judge required if he wanted to enter the race. The athlete knew that if he didn't do just exactly what the judge required, he would not get to compete.

The Christian life is compared to these races. The judge is compared to Christ and the Christian is compared to the athlete. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Not just anyone can say they are running the Christian race. But anyone can learn what God requires of us to enter the Christian race. The only way to know what is required is to study the Word of God, the Bible.

Until next time, keep reading and studying your Bible. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you. Get the wisdom of God.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 1999

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)