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Chapter 30
Called to Reach a Higher Standard
IN the hope of impressing vividly upon the minds of the Corinthian
believers the importance of firm self-control, strict temperance, and
unflagging zeal in the service of Christ, Paul in his letter to them
made a striking comparison between the Christian warfare and the
celebrated foot races held at stated intervals near Corinth. Of all the
games instituted among the Greeks and the Romans, the foot races were
the most ancient and the most highly esteemed. They were witnessed by
kings, nobles, and statesmen. Young men of rank and wealth took part in
them and shrank from no effort or discipline necessary to obtain the
prize.
The contests were governed by strict regulations, from which there was
no appeal. Those who desired their names entered as competitors for the
prize had first to undergo a severe preparatory training. Harmful
indulgence of appetite, or any other gratification that would lower
mental or physical vigor, was strictly forbidden. For one to have any
hope of success in these trials of strength and speed, the muscles must
be strong and supple, and the nerves well under control. Every movement
must be certain, every step swift and unswerving; the physical powers
must reach the highest mark.
As the contestants in the race made their appearance before the waiting
multitude, their names were heralded, and the rules of the race were
distinctly stated. Then they all started together, the fixed attention
of the spectators inspiring them with a determination to win. The judges
were seated near the goal, that they might watch the race from its
beginning to its close and give the prize to the true victor. If a man
reached the goal first by taking an unlawful advantage, he was not
awarded the prize.
In these contests great risks were run. Some never recovered from the
terrible physical strain. It was not unusual for men to fall on the
course, bleeding at the mouth and nose, and sometimes a contestant would
drop dead when about to seize the prize. But the possibility of lifelong
injury or of death was not looked upon as too great a risk to run for
the sake of the honor awarded the successful contestant.
As the winner reached the goal, the applause of the vast multitude of
onlookers rent the air and awoke the echoes of the surrounding hills and
mountains. In full view of the spectators, the judge presented him with
the emblems of victory--a laurel crown and a palm branch to carry in his
right hand. His praise was sung throughout the land; his parents
received their share of honor; and even the city in which he lived was
held in high esteem for having produced so great an athlete.
In referring to these races as a figure of the Christian warfare, Paul
emphasized the preparation necessary to the success of the contestants
in the race--the preliminary discipline, the abstemious diet, the
necessity for temperance. "Every man that striveth for the mastery," he
declared, "is temperate in all things." The runners put aside every
indulgence that would tend to weaken the physical powers, and by severe
and continuous discipline trained their muscles to strength and
endurance, that when the day of the contest should arrive, they might
put the heaviest tax upon their powers. How much more important that the
Christian, whose eternal interests are at stake, bring appetite and
passion under subjection to reason and the will of God! Never must he
allow his attention to be diverted by amusements, luxuries, or ease. All
his habits and passions must be brought under the strictest discipline.
Reason, enlightened by the teachings of God's word and guided by His
Spirit, must hold the reins of control.
And after this has been done, the Christian must put forth the utmost
exertion in order to gain the victory. In the Corinthian games the last
few strides of the contestants in the race were made with agonizing
effort to keep up undiminished speed. So the Christian, as he nears the
goal, will press onward with even more zeal and determination than at
the first of his course.
Paul presents the contrast between the chaplet of fading laurel received
by the victor in the foot races, and the crown of immortal glory that
will be given to him who runs with triumph the Christian race. "They do
it," he declares, "to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an
incorruptible." To win a perishable prize, the Grecian runners spared
themselves no toil or discipline. We are striving for a prize infinitely
more valuable, even the crown of everlasting life. How much more careful
should be our striving, how much more willing our sacrifice and
self-denial!
In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the single-hearted purpose
that should characterize the Christian's race for eternal life: "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." Hebrews 12:1, 2. Envy,
malice, evil thinking, evilspeaking, covetousness--these are weights
that the Christian must lay aside if he would run successfully the race
for immortality. Every habit or practice that leads into sin and brings
dishonor upon Christ must be put away, whatever the sacrifice. The
blessing of heaven cannot attend any man in violating the eternal
principles of right. One sin cherished is sufficient to work degradation
of character and to mislead others.
"If thy hand cause thee to stumble," the Saviour said, "Cut it off: it
is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two
hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. And if thy foot cause
thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life
halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell." Mark
9:43-45, R.V. If to save the body from death, the foot or the hand
should be cut off, or even the eye plucked out, how much more earnest
should the Christian be to put away sin, which brings death to the soul!
The competitors in the ancient games, after they had submitted to
self-denial and rigid discipline, were not even then sure of the
victory. "Know ye not," Paul asked, "that they which run in a race run
all, but one receiveth the prize?" However eagerly and earnestly the
runners might strive, the prize could be awarded to but one. One hand
only could grasp the coveted garland. Some might put forth the utmost
effort to obtain the prize, but as they reached forth the hand to secure
it, another, an instant before them, might grasp the coveted treasure.
Such is not the case in the Christian warfare. Not one who complies with
the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race. Not one who
is earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to the
swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the
strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win who,
through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to
the will of Christ. The practice, in the details of life, of the
principles laid down in God's word, is too often looked upon as
unimportant--a matter too trivial to demand attention. But in view of
the issue at stake, nothing is small that will help or hinder. Every act
casts its weight into the scale that determines life's victory or
defeat. And the reward given to those who win will be in proportion to
the energy and earnestness with which they have striven.
The apostle compared himself to a man running in a race, straining every
nerve to win the prize. "I therefore so run," he says, "not as
uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep
under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means,
when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." That he
might not run uncertainly or at random in the Christian race, Paul
subjected himself to severe training. The words, "I keep under my body,"
literally mean to beat back by severe discipline the desires, impulses,
and passions.
Paul feared lest, having preached to others, he himself should be a
castaway. He realized that if he did not carry out in his life the
principles he believed and preached, his labors in behalf of others
would avail him nothing. His conversation, his influence, his refusal to
yield to self-gratification, must show that his religion was not a
profession merely, but a daily, living connection with God. One goal he
kept ever before him, and strove earnestly to reach-- "the righteousness
which is of God by faith." Philippians 3:9.
Paul knew that his warfare against evil would not end so long as life
should last. Ever he realized the need of putting a strict guard upon
himself, that earthly desires might not overcome spiritual zeal. With
all his power he continued to strive against natural inclinations. Ever
he kept before him the ideal to be attained, and this ideal he strove to
reach by willing obedience to the law of God. His words, his practices,
his passions--all were brought under the control of the Spirit of God.
It was this singlehearted purpose to win the race for eternal life that
Paul longed to see revealed in the lives of the Corinthian believers. He
knew that in order to reach Christ's ideal for them, they had before
them a life struggle from which there would be no release. He entreated
them to strive lawfully, day by day seeking for piety and moral
excellence. He pleaded with them to lay aside every weight and to press
forward to the goal of perfection in Christ.
Paul pointed the Corinthians to the experience of ancient Israel, to the
blessings that rewarded their obedience, and to the judgments that
followed their transgressions. He reminded them of the miraculous way in
which the Hebrews were led from Egypt under the protection of the cloud
by day and the pillar of fire by night. Thus they were safely conducted
through the Red Sea, while the Egyptians, essaying to cross in like
manner, were all drowned. By these acts God had acknowledged Israel as
His church. They "did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink
the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that
followed them: and that Rock was Christ." The Hebrews, in all their
travels, had Christ as a leader. The smitten rock typified Christ, who
was to be wounded for men's transgressions, that the stream of salvation
might flow to all.
Notwithstanding the favor that God showed to the Hebrews, yet because of
their lust for the luxuries left behind in Egypt, and because of their
sin and rebellion, the judgments of God came upon them. The apostle
enjoined the Corinthian believers to heed the lesson contained in
Israel's experience. "Now these things were our examples," he declared,
"to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also
lusted." He showed how love of ease and pleasure had prepared the way
for sins that called forth the signal vengeance of God. It was when the
children of Israel sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play, that
they threw off the fear of God, which they had felt as they listened to
the giving of the law; and, making a golden calf to represent God, they
worshiped it. And it was after enjoying a luxurious feast connected with
the worship of Baalpeor, that many of the Hebrews fell through
licentiousness. The anger of God was aroused, and at His command "three
and twenty thousand" were slain by the plague in one day.
The apostle adjured the Corinthians, "Let him that thinketh he standeth
take heed lest he fall." Should they become boastful and self-confident,
neglecting to watch and pray, they would fall into grievous sin, calling
down upon themselves the wrath of God. Yet Paul would not have them
yield to despondency or discouragement. He gave them the assurance: "God
is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye
may be able to bear it."
Paul urged his brethren to ask themselves what influence their words and
deeds would have upon others and to do nothing, however innocent in
itself, that would seem to sanction idolatry or offend the scruples of
those who might be weak in the faith. "Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none
offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of
God."
The apostle's words of warning to the Corinthian church are applicable
to all time and are especially adapted to our day. By idolatry he meant
not only the worship of idols, but self-serving, love of ease, the
gratification of appetite and passion. A mere profession of faith in
Christ, a boastful knowledge of the truth, does not make a man a
Christian. A religion that seeks only to gratify the eye, the ear, and
the taste, or that sanctions self-indulgence, is not the religion of
Christ.
By a comparison of the church with the human body, the apostle aptly
illustrated the close and harmonious relationship that should exist
among all members of the church of Christ. "By one Spirit," he wrote,
"are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,
whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one
Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say,
Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of
the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not
of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an
eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the
smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the
body, as it hath pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where
were the body?
But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say
unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I
have no need of you. . . . God hath tempered the body together, having
given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there should
be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care
one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer
with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now
ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
And then, in words which from that day to this have been to men and
women a source of inspiration and encouragement, Paul set forth the
importance of that love which should be cherished by the followers of
Christ: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have
not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And
though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and
all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all
my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and
have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
No matter how high the profession, he whose heart is not filled with
love for God and his fellow men is not a true disciple of Christ. Though
he should possess great faith and have power even to work miracles, yet
without love his faith would be worthless. He might display great
liberality; but should he, from some other motive than genuine love,
bestow all his goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend him to
the favor of God. In his zeal he might even meet a martyr's death, yet
if not actuated by love, he would be regarded by God as a deluded
enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite.
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." The purest joy springs from the
deepest humiliation. The strongest and noblest characters are built on
the foundation of patience, love, and submission to God's will.
Charity "doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not
easily provoked, thinketh no evil." Christ-like love places the most
favorable construction on the motives and acts of others. It does not
needlessly expose their faults; it does not listen eagerly to
unfavorable reports, but seeks rather to bring to mind the good
qualities of others.
Love "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all
things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
This love "never faileth." It can never lose its value; it is a heavenly
attribute. As a precious treasure, it will be carried by its possessor
through the portals of the city of God.
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of
these is charity."
In the lowering of the moral standard among the Corinthian believers,
there were those who had given up some of the fundamental features of
their faith. Some had gone so far as to deny the doctrine of the
resurrection. Paul met this heresy with a very plain testimony regarding
the unmistakable evidence of the resurrection of Christ. He declared
that Christ, after His death, "rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures," after which "He was seen of Cephas, then of the Twelve:
after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom
the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of
all He was seen of me also."
With convincing power the apostle set forth the great truth of the
resurrection. "If there be no resurrection of the dead," he argued,
"then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our
preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false
witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up
Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if
the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not
raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also
which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we
have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ
risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept."
The apostle carried the minds of the Corinthian brethren forward to the
triumphs of the resurrection morn, when all the sleeping saints are to
be raised, henceforth to live forever with their Lord. "Behold," the
apostle declared, "I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we
shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this
corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have
put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory? . . . Thanks be to God, which giveth us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Glorious is the triumph awaiting the faithful. The apostle, realizing
the possibilities before the Corinthian believers, sought to set before
them that which uplifts from the selfish and the sensual, and glorifies
life with the hope of immortality. Earnestly he exhorted them to be true
to their high calling in Christ. "My beloved brethren," he pleaded, "be
ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Thus the apostle, in the most decided and impressive manner, endeavored
to correct the false and dangerous ideas and practices that were
prevailing in the Corinthian church. He spoke plainly, yet in love for
their souls. In his warnings and reproofs, light from the throne of God
was shining upon them, to reveal the hidden sins that were defiling
their lives. How would it be received?
After the letter had been dispatched, Paul feared lest that which he had
written might wound too deeply those whom he desired to benefit. He
keenly dreaded a further alienation and sometimes longed to recall his
words. Those who, like the apostle, have felt a responsibility for
beloved churches or institutions, can best appreciate his depression of
spirit and self-accusing. The servants of God who bear the burden of His
work for this time know something of the same experience of labor,
conflict, and anxious care that fell to the lot of the great apostle.
Burdened by divisions in the church, meeting with ingratitude and
betrayal from some to whom he looked for sympathy and support, realizing
the peril of the churches that harbored iniquity, compelled to bear a
close, searching testimony in reproof of sin, he was at the same time
weighed down with fear that he might have dealt with too great severity.
With trembling anxiety he waited to receive some tidings as to the
reception of his message.
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