Green Box

Albert E. Farley

 The apostle Paul knew about athletic games. He wrote, in 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” These words came to me as I listened to the final game of the 2011 World Series. Although a different sport, the principle is the same. High achievement demands total commitment and enduring effort. The St. Louis Cardinals were not even supposed to be in the World Series. After scrapping wins against Philadelphia and Milwaukee, they were twice within one strike of being eliminated in the sixth game! Yet, they persevered against strong,constant opposition. Before millions of spectators, they won the highest crown of achievement in baseball – the World Series.

 Paul did not want to run the Christian race in vain. He wanted all Christians to run well – not with uncertainty. He said, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2. When he came to the finish line, he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Dear friends, let us so run that we may obtain! 

 Our circulation last month was 2,773. –Albert.

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