COMPETE ACCORDING TO THE RULES. 2nd Timothy 2:5 A trained athlete understands the value of perseverance. With a crown in sight, he must practice self-discipline [1Cor.9:27; Heb.12:1-2] and “lay aside” anything that hinders his run. We need to learn to use spiritual weapons [2 Cor.10:4] like soldiers and commit to following the race rules as athletes do. The athlete must stay physically pure, avoid substance abuse, understand the regulations, and run the race of faith lawfully. The servant of the Lord should not strive but be patient, like athletes who train hard in a rigorous and lengthy program until they can endure the strain and go farther than others. The servant-son must realize he is not free to create his own rules of service. Training is vital, and that includes learning how to compete within the bounds of truth. The athlete trains physically and mentally to commit himself to follow the regulations set by those in authority. Our authority is the revealed will of God. If that is not done, a person is disqualified, and all efforts are wasted. Commitment to self-discipline and to obeying the rules is essential to receiving the prize—the vision of winning for the Lord's glory. Two very important traits of every successful athlete are self-discipline and obedience to race rules. Any athlete who wants to be part of a team must follow the same rules as everyone else. If he chooses to do things his own way, he is disqualified before he even starts. If, during a race, he tries to take a shortcut to the goal, he is disqualified if he makes even one mistake. The victory crown is lost if he does not follow the rules.
We are not left to wonder how to please God or how to succeed in our Christian life and service. The word of God clearly explains what He expects from us who belong to Him and seek to please Him in our bodies and souls. Paul wrote once [Phil. 3:10], “That I might know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death.” The prize of the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus” will be worth every effort when the Lord can say to us, “Well done.”
An athlete trains hard, learns everything he can about the race so he doesn’t make mistakes, and keeps his eyes on the prize ahead, not everything happening around him. The pain of intense training may have to be endured for weeks or months, but it will be worth it when the prize is won.
The runner has fixed his attention on the goal that lies unseen ahead of him, but he knows it is there and is determined to give his best effort to win the prize. His peripheral vision may alert him to traps all around, but he does not focus on the obstacles and dangers; instead, he focuses on the reward and the One who grants it. There will likely be sandy patches, mud bogs, and even some deep holes that pose dangers to hinder his progress, which might cause him to fall. That’s why he has trained so extensively.
Ahead, out of his view and far beyond the last knoll, lies the finish line, waiting for him to cross and receive the soul-winner’s crown. With far-seeing eyes, the goal is seen clearly through the soul of one who knows who he is and why he is in the world. There, on the throne of His glory, is our Lord, waiting as the Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and please Him. He knows, with all-seeing eyes, the runner who is faithful and is willing to wait for renown so he can “cast his crown” at the feet of the Savior. He won the greatest battle and ran the greatest, most perfect race that will ever be known.