Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
“24 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.
25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
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What would we do to receive one million dollars? We would exert incredible effort, endure great pain and suffering, and be willing to wait decades before we receive such a prize.
And that million dollars does not guarantee us any length of life. That million dollars does not guarantee us any love, joy, or peace. That million dollars does not guarantee us any life with our loved ones.
What would you be willing to do to receive eternal life? What would you be willing to do to receive life in heaven with all of its love, joy, peace, and pleasures? What would you be willing to do to live with God and all of the righteous forever?
And so, we are exhorted to live our lives as if we are in a race with only one person receiving such a prize.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46.
Such a prize of eternal life in heaven with God and all the righteous deserves our greatest effort, our greatest wisdom and skill, our greatest focus, our greatest investment, our greatest sacrifice, our greatest performance, and our greatest endurance. Such a prize of eternal life deserves all that we have. “Run in such a way that you may win.” Verse 24. Exercise self-control in all things. Verse 25. Be wise and skillful. Verse 26. Be disciplined. Verse 27.
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2.
But, winning such a prize requires even more than our greatest efforts and other actions. Winning such a prize requires the actions of our Sovereign and Almighty God. In fact, even though we are commanded to so strive for this prize, winning the prize ultimately “does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.
Election may be distasteful to many. It may seem injust. But, it is our sole “shot” at this prize. We must have faith in the grace of God that He has elected us and that He has provided all that we need for salvation, this prize. It is the narrow way and few find it.
Matthew 7:14
“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Does election mean that we do not need to so run the race with our best effort or that we can quit striving for the prize? No!
The Canons of Dordt states:
Article 12. This certainty of perseverance, however, is so far from exciting in believers a spirit of pride, or of rendering them carnally secure, that on the contrary, it is the real source of humility, filial reverence, true piety, patience in every tribulation, fervent prayers, constancy in suffering, and in confessing the truth, and of solid rejoicing in God: so that the consideration of this benefit should serve as an incentive to the serious and constant practice of gratitude and good works, as appears from the testimonies of Scripture, and the examples of the saints.
We are reminded of what was quoted in the devotion on October 28, 2011 from Question and Answer 1 of The Heidelberg Catchism that God: “… makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.”
In conclusion, and so we join the Apostle Paul, who, although he wrote more about election than anyone else, and although he labored more than anyone else, and although he suffered so much for the sake of the gospel (See Philippians 3:4-6 and 1 Corinthians 15:10 and 2 Corinthians 11:23-27), he states regarding his pursuit of this prize: “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 