In one of the winter Olympic events this past week, there was a tie for first place and both countries received a gold medal. I think that was the right thing to do. If both crossed the finish line at the exact same time without any infractions, then both are winners. From this, Christians can understand and appreciate the following lesson.

Even though the Bible depicts the Christian life as running a race and needing to finish to obtain the reward (I Cor. 9:24; Heb. 12:1; II Tim. 2:5), it isn’t a competition between others. All Christians want everyone to be saved and obtain the reward (the gold medal so to speak).

When Paul spoke about the race he was in, he was definitely thinking about his reward (II Tim. 4:8). Yet Paul wasn’t wanting to obtain the prize alone. He stated, “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (vr. 8).

During the Olympics I saw great sportsmanship. Why someone got bumped out of 1^st place into 2^nd, the runner-up would congratulate the winner. Of course, with Christians ,there isn’t any runner-up. All the faithful are winners! To help followers of the Lord learn this aspect of godly living, Jesus told the parable about the laborers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16). Christ taught that if someone obeyed the gospel late in life, he obtains the same reward as someone who obeyed the gospel early in life. What Christian wouldn’t rejoice over someone obeying late in life? Hopefully none!

There is a comfort in knowing that brothers and sisters in Christ are not competing against each other. There is no such thing as a “Super Christian”. Every child of God is doing what they can, with the talents they have been given (Matt. 25:14-30). After all, no Christian can actually beat (or do more) than another Christian. Whatever one does, it is what was expected of them (Lk. 17:10). One cannot do over and beyond.

Chuck