'Contending According to the Rules'

The entry requirements for the ancient games were very strict. A herald would resent each athlete to the spectators and shout: 'Is there anyone who can accuse this man of any crime? Is he a robber or a wicked and depraved  in his life and manners?' According to Archaeologia Graeca, "no person that was himself a notorious criminal or [closely] related to any such, was permitted to contend." And breaches of the games' rules were heavily penalized by barring the violators from the contests.

This fact helps us to understand Paul's statement: "If anyone contends even in the games, he is not crowned unless he has contended according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5) Similarly, to run in the race for life, we must meet Jehovah's requirements, complying with his lofty moral standards as they are set out in the Bible. However, the Bible warns us:  "The inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up."  (Genesis 8:21) thus, even after entering the race, we have to be careful to keep on contending according to the rules in order to continue having Jehovah's approval and gain everlasting life. 

The greatest aid to act in this way is love for God. (Mark  12:29-31) Such love will make us want to please Jehovah and act according to his will. -1 John 5:3. 

Next time: "Put Off Every Weight"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2001