"Be Training Yourself"

CITIUS, altius, fortius-faster, higher, stronger! These were the ideals to which athletes in ancient Greece and Rome aspired. For centuries, in Olympia, Delphi and Nemea and on the Isthmus of Corinth, grand athletic events were held with the "blessing" of the gods under the gaze of thousands of spectators.  The privilege of competing in these games was the result of many years of hard work.  Victory would heap glory on the winners and on their home city.

it is not surprising that in such a cultural context, the writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures compared the spiritual race of Christians to athletic  events.  To convey powerful points of teaching, the apostles Peter and Paul both skillfully employed illustrations based on the games.  In our day, the same intense Christian race continues.  The first-century Christians had to deal with the Jewish system of things; we today have to 'contend' with a worldwide system on the brink of destruction.  (2 Timothy 2:5; 3:1-5)  Some may find that their individual  "race of faith" is unrelenting and exhausting.( 1 Timothy 6:12, The New English Bible) An examinati9on of some of the athletic comparisons in the Bible will prove most beneficial.

Next time: A Superb Trainer

The Watchtower, 2002