FOLLOWING ORDERS AND RULES (PART 2)

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

2 Timothy 2:5

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Just last month, the Mexican Marathon was held in Mexico City, the country’s capital city. When the race concluded, around 11,000 runners were disqualified.

Why?

Because these races have been sophisticated and tracking technology is used on every runner. All the runners who were disqualified had failed to run the entire distance and therefore broke the rules of the marathon which of course requires each participant to complete 26.2 miles.

When it was looked into closer, some of the rules violators got into vehicles and were driven to another place where they could reenter the race. Others got on public transportation to do the same. None of them were given a finisher’s medal because of their discovered cheating.

As we look at the second part of a short two part series on following orders and rules, we find Paul touch on the matter of athletes competing in events and the requirement to follow the rules in order to have a chance to win. He wrote:

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5

During Paul’s missionary journeys, he had witnessed athletes competing in events such as wrestling and chariot racing as well as discus and javelin throwing, long jumping and race running, events we are familiar with today in track and field. These experiences were often used by Paul to convey spiritual truths as in today’s verse as he writes to his ministry partner, Timothy, who we know was pastoring the Ephesian church.

In today’s verse, we find Paul comparing life to an event that people (athletes) are competing in. This event (life) has rules that must be followed if a person hopes to be victorious and “receive the victor’s crown” with the number one rule, the one who either qualifies or disqualifies the participant, being a belief in Jesus as Savior. All other rules are subordinate to this one.

It’s rather simple, actually.

Believe in Jesus and you will automatically become a victor, winning over death and the grave and becoming a co-heir to the very Kingdom of God (aka Heaven).

Choose to not believe in Jesus and you will be disqualified from victory, no matter how much you might dispute the loss, and will be destined for eternal damnation and torment (aka Hell).

Just as in the marathon in Mexico City, every person who leaves the starting point of life has an opportunity to finish and receive a victor’s reward as everyone gains a finisher’s medal whether they are first or last across the finish line. All they need to do is follow the rules, placing their belief in Jesus as Savior and then obediently striving to follow the regulations God places on His people through His will and Word.

My prayer today is that you already know you will finish this race called life as a victor and receive the crown of the Kingdom when you finish. If not and you are reading this today, it’s not too late to comply with the number one rule of this race and believe in Jesus as Savior.

It’s a decision you will never regret.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.