Since the beginning of time, men were honored with exemplary titles for physical fortitude. For example, Nimrod was given in Genesis 10:8-9: “Cush became the father of Nimrod, who was the first to become a mighty warrior on earth. He was a mighty hunter in the eyes of the Lord; hence the saying, ‘Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter in the eyes of the Lord.’”
As time progressed, men of old devised competitive games to test their bodily strength. Archeologists documented ancient Olympic Games occurring around 776 B.C. These games were held during the festival honoring the Greek god of sky and thunder, Zeus. Participation was limited to freeborn Greek men who would compete in footraces, javelin hurling and wrestling. The winners in each category would receive an olive leaf wreath or crown. There were no second- or third-place awards given at these events. Only the best were recognized and honored.
Evan Andrews gave this account on www.history.com/news/7-ancient-sports-stars: “One of the towering figures of ancient sports was Theagenes, a Greek pugilist who supposedly won 1,300 bouts over the course of a 22-year career. His most significant achievements came at the Olympics in 480 and 476 B.C., when he became the first athlete to win the wreath in both boxing and pankration, an ancient form of mixed martial arts.”
It may seem a bit parsimonious that Theagenes would sacrifice so much time and energy for a wreath that would wilt in a couple of weeks. Yet Theagenes and many other Greek men dedicated their time and transformed their bodies to enter these games in the hope for a few moments of glory.
The New Testament also refers to organized competitions similar to these ancient Olympic Games. During the Isthmian Games, a celebration to the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, thousands of people traveled to Corinth to see the athletes in action. The ancient city and surrounding towns were filled to capacity. They cheered in stadium seats and vendors sold food, drinks and souvenirs. Even during wartime, peace prevailed and a truce was struck between rivals during the games.
The Apostle Paul, who had established a church in Corinth, heard during his travels that the Corinthian Christians needed guidance. Paul admonished the Church by painting a picture that would be readily understood: “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we have an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor 9:24-27).
When the Apostle Paul wrote these verses, he was comparing the Christian faith to the Isthmian Games. The Corinthians understood that the winner would receive only a perishable wreath made of olive branches. They knew athletes who displayed complete self-control and trained their bodies to perfection – all to obtain one fleeting moment of glory.
Paul used this analogy, hoping to motivate and inspire the Christians to take on the spiritual challenge of running their daily spiritual race for Christ. By training their bodies to resist temptations, forming a godly conscience, participating in Mass, getting spiritually pumped up by praying, studying, reading, persevering in faith, living and proclaiming the Gospel, training regardless of any obstacles and in any weather, they would all receive an imperishable crown – rather than a couple of leaves woven into a headpiece, meant only for one person.
To win the spiritual race, Paul preaches, one must use free will and devote the necessary time to train daily. Sure, one can begin the race unprepared, but if life’s temptations or distractions get in the way of that race towards eternal salvation, one will ultimately stumble and fall.
One’s focus must be on winning the race and gaining heaven. Total spiritual preparation is the key to receiving an imperishable crown.
There is another benefit in running a spiritual race. Writing to the church at Philippi, Paul exhorts: “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to come to a mutual understanding in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my true yokemate, to help them, for they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil 4:1-3). Just like the runners during the Olympic and Isthmian Games had their names written in a book, our names are also written in a book – the Lamb’s book of life, which is eternal.
In Revelation 21:27, John gives a stern warning for those hoping to enter heaven: “But nothing unclean will enter it, nor any(one) who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Our spiritual race is a chance of a lifetime. It begins on earth, starting at our baptism and the finish line is heaven.
Bobby Speers is an author who lives in Hickory. This commentary is in memory of Sister Mary Norman and the Krispy Kreme Challenge 5K run or walk benefit for Carcinoid Cancer, sponsored by the Maryvale Sisters. This year’s race will be held Saturday, June 8. Details are at runsignup.com/Race/NC/Hickory/TheKrispyKremeChallenge5K.