I have had my share of racing motorcycles beginning in my
teenage years, through my 20’s and 30’s. And later in my 50’s without much
winning success as the reflexes lagged, and the old body just wasn’t built up
to withstand the abuse moving along at full throttle. Winning was sweet when it
happened. Mentally though I was always focused and determined to do whatever it
took to win the race even if I didn’t. After all, what is racing? It’s about
winning.
This reminds me of a recent conversation I had with a fellow
Christian about paying a bit too much attention to matters of the world. How it
can get in the way of our race to win the “imperishable prize” (1 Cor 9:24-25).
If we set our sights on worldly (perishable) matters, they can get a hold of us
and distract us from what the Lord wishes our sights to be fixed upon. Even
Christians being human can be easily swayed. I can tell you this is true from
personal experience!
The bible teaches us that we are to “Set our mind on
things above, not on things on earth. For you died, and your life is hidden
with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will
appear with Him in glory.” (Col 3:2-4)
One of the words in this passage is a clue to a
Christians response one way or another to worldly matters thrust before him.
Will he address it, make it important, or turn away from it in the Lord? That
word is “died”. We are constantly reminded by Jesus of having to give up our
worldly ways, carry our cross by being long suffering servants of the Lord. And
by the apostles in establishing the early church through all the near-death
trials and challenges they experienced by faith, apostle Paul even said, “To
live is Christ, To die is gain.” (Phil 1:21)
Is paying too much attention to the Coronavirus and all its
details, or religious freedoms and the Nations government all that important to
the Christian? Or giving it all you got in making sure ones second amendment
rights aren’t infringed upon, freedom of speech guaranteed and on and on? Some
of these things are precious to us in the United States. But how does being
militant in these worldly matters adding to ones walk in Christ to win the
prize? Is walking in the Lord in this manner dying to yourself? Is it long suffering that glorifies Jesus by the Holy Spirit? Is it Gods will for you
to concentrate much time and resources to try and make a worldly difference? Might
I suggest focusing too much on worldly matters can pull one away from winning
the prize. Some say, “I have freedom in Christ to focus on these matters, I’m
not in danger of losing my salvation.” That’s what the frog said in a warm
frying pan. That’s what the hare said to the tortuous. And that’s what God says
about not focusing on things from above! God gives us choices.
In motorsports or any other type of racing there is a
saying when you finish in second place. It’s called the “first loser.” Let’s
not walk in a way that causes us to win at the expense of our salvation. Even the
inspired apostle Paul who knew all truth said he could become disqualified (1
Cor 9:27). Let’s walk in a way that glorifies and props Jesus up by the way we serve
and suffer for His sake in all that we do as His disciples, lest we become the
first loser…
In Christ
