Run to Have Christ

1 Corinthians 9:24 says, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." The point of this verse is not that there is only one person that will win the Christian race, but that we are to run the race with the zeal of an athlete competing for the one prize. And, though there will be more than one person to win the prize of the Christian race, there is a prize to be had. What is the prize? Is it heaven, a crown of jewels, a mansion in heaven; what might it be? Well, the word for prize in this verse in only used in one other place in Scripture, Philippians 3:14. In context is it clear that the prize is knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8) and gaining Christ (3:8). So, we must run with our eyes set on the glorious prize that is Christ.

I preached on this passage last Sunday and then providentially was given a book that develops this same theme of Christ Himself being the gift of the gospel. Or, to say it another way, the point of the geospel is that we might have Christ and behold His glory for eternity. All other gifts of the gospel serve to ensure that we have the ultimate gift of delighting in Christ and displaying His glory. I would encourage everyone to get a copy of God is the Gospel by John Piper. In this book you will see that unless you live for and long for Christ Himself you are an idol worshiper.

"Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And beside Thee , I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Ps. 73:25-26