The Prize

[Ernest T. Bass]

Phil 3:13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

1 Cor 9:24-25 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. "


Is "the prize" something earned or merited by reaching, pressing, running or is the prize freely offered, freely received?

 

[for_his_glory]

A prize is something you earn through your actions to obtain it. Take a long distant runner for example. They have to prepare themselves before they can run a race by training themselves to be able to go the distance. We as a child of God also have to train in order to run our race to go the distance to obtain our prize of an incorruptible crown as it is not freely given like grace is, but something we have to strive for as to endure to be able to obtain it. There are five crowns (not literal crowns) we can obtain here on earth for the accomplishments of service we do unto the Lord. When our race here on earth is done and our time is over we will have the privilege of laying these crowns down before the feet of Jesus to honor him and to hear those words of grace that says “well done thou good and faithful servant”. The five crowns are:
1. Crown of Life - James 1:12
2. Crown of Glory - 1 Peter 5:1-5
3. Crown of Rejoicing - 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20
4. Crown of Righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:8
5. Crown Incorruptible - 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Hebrews 12:1 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,

1Corinthians 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.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

A prize is something you earn through your actions to obtain it. Take a long distant runner for example. They have to prepare themselves before they can run a race by training themselves to be able to go the distance. We as a child of God also have to train in order to run our race to go the distance to obtain our prize of an incorruptible crown as it is not freely given like grace is, but something we have to strive for as to endure to be able to obtain it. There are five crowns (not literal crowns) we can obtain here on earth for the accomplishments of service we do unto the Lord. When our race here on earth is done and our time is over we will have the privilege of laying these crowns down before the feet of Jesus to honor him and to hear those words of grace that says “well done thou good and faithful servant”. The five crowns are:
1. Crown of Life - James 1:12
2. Crown of Glory - 1 Peter 5:1-5
3. Crown of Rejoicing - 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20
4. Crown of Righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:8
5. Crown Incorruptible - 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Hebrews 12:1 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,

1Corinthians 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.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Hi,

The prize Paul speaks about is eternal life. In Phil 3:14 Paul wrote "...the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus". So the prize is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This prize is in Christ Jesus and salvation is what is found in Christ Jesus and nowhere else but in Christ Jesus.

The point of this thread is to show that the prize is a free gift but one must do the conditonal work of running to receive the free prize. Paul said to run that ye may obtain so there is no obtaining without running. So running is a necessary condition to receive the free prize but the running does not earn the prize. The faith only crowd argues that conditional works such as running is earning the prize. So how is the faith only crowd going to argue that required work of running does not earn/merit the prize?

 

[John 8:32]

Hi,

The prize Paul speaks about is eternal life. In Phil 3:14 Paul wrote "...the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus". So the prize is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This prize is in Christ Jesus and salvation is what is found in Christ Jesus and nowhere else but in Christ Jesus.

The point of this thread is to show that the prize is a free gift but one must do the conditonal work of running to receive the free prize. Paul said to run that ye may obtain so there is no obtaining without running. So running is a necessary condition to receive the free prize but the running does not earn the prize. The faith only crowd argues that conditional works such as running is earning the prize. So how is the faith only crowd going to argue that necessary running does not earn/merit the prize?

There is a million dollars on that table over there. To claim it as yours, all you have to do is get up, walk over to it and pick it up. Do you have to do something to get it? Yes. Now if you get up, walk over to the table and pick it up, does that somehow produce the $$$? No. Do you earn the $$$? No. You have to do something to get it, but you do not earn it by working for it.

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

There is a million dollars on that table over there. To claim it as yours, all you have to do is get up, walk over to it and pick it up. Do you have to do something to get it? Yes. Now if you get up, walk over to the table and pick it up, does that somehow produce the $$$? No. Do you earn the $$$? No. You have to do something to get it, but you do not earn it by working for it.

I agree. It's a simple concept the faith only crowd do not, will not understand that a free gift (million dollars) can come with conditions (walk to the table). Yet the condition (walking to the table) is not earning the gift (million dollars).

So how will the faith only crowd 'run to obtain prize' but yet claim their running is not earning the prize?


They might try to say they can get the prize without running but that goes completely against what Paul said that one has to "run that ye may obtain". So there is no obtaining without running.

 

[for_his_glory]

What Paul is talking about in these scriptures you gave is he teaching others to run for the prize of the high calling of God rather than our own righteousness we need to reach out for Gods righteousness in us as we leave our past (flesh) behind and take on that of Gods very Spirit dwelling in us to guide us and teach us. Paul was a slave to the Roman law even to the point he thought he was doing all things in the name of God as he persecuted the Christians putting them to death until the day of his conversation on the road to Damascus. The prize is the high calling of God in our life to do His will and not that of our own.

 

[John 8:32]

I agree. It's a simple concept the faith only crowd do not, will not understand that a free gift (million dollars) can come with conditions (walk to the table). Yet the condition (walking to the table) is not earning the gift (million dollars).

So how will the faith only crowd 'run to obtain prize' but yet claim their running is not earning the prize?


They might try to say they can get the prize without running but that goes completely against what Paul said that one has to "run that ye may obtain". So there is no obtaining without running.

This is my understanding of the law. One cannot earn salvation in 100 lifetimes of keeping the Commandments perfectly, but they are the condition to recieving eternal life...

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Keeping the commandments is the walking to the table. Now if we slip and break one or many, there is forgiveness...

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

But not if we callously sin...

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Notice to whom this is written, not those who are of the Devil or the world.

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

What Paul is talking about in these scriptures you gave is he teaching others to run for the prize of the high calling of God rather than our own righteousness we need to reach out for Gods righteousness in us as we leave our past (flesh) behind and take on that of Gods very Spirit dwelling in us to guide us and teach us. Paul was a slave to the Roman law even to the point he thought he was doing all things in the name of God as he persecuted the Christians putting them to death until the day of his conversation on the road to Damascus. The prize is the high calling of God in our life to do His will and not that of our own.

Paul said "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

The prize is a reference to salvation "in Christ Jesus". Paul said one must run for this prize in Christ Jesus as Paul said "run that ye may obtain". So the condition of running does not earn the prize therefore obedience to God is not earning salvation.

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

This is my understanding of the law. One cannot earn salvation in 100 lifetimes of keeping the Commandments perfectly, but they are the condition to recieving eternal life...

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Keeping the commandments is the walking to the table. Now if we slip and break one or many, there is forgiveness...

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

But not if we callously sin...

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Notice to whom this is written, not those who are of the Devil or the world.

The issue I am raising is Paul said one has to run to obtain the prize. So how are those who think salvation is by faith only explain away the required work of running?

 

[wayseer]

I think what Paul is alluding to is something like a doing PB - you are 'running' against yourself. The 'prize' is that you beat yourself in being more Christ like.

 

[BornAgain]

I think what Paul is alluding to is something like a doing PB - you are 'running' against yourself. The 'prize' is that you beat yourself in being more Christ like.

1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV)
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Paul refers to his own conduct as an illustration of the lesson which he is teaching, and reminds the us that the chapter has been a vindication of his own self-denial, and that he has a clear and definite object in view.

No man can run as Paul did who has no definite object to be gained. We must be resolved to win and have no thought of defeat, of failure, or of doing something better. It is the absence of deliberate choice and a strong determination which causes such uncertain running on the part of many who claim to be in the race.

It is possible for every one who runs the Christian race to receive this crown, which shall forever be unto him a joy as at the moment of receiving it.

 

[wayseer]

Win? Win what exactly? What race? Who are you 'racing' against? What crown are we suppose to receive?

This is not the Olympic Games.

... and their are many failures. I'm one such failure.

 

[BornAgain]

Win? Win what exactly? What race? Who are you 'racing' against? What crown are we suppose to receive?

This is not the Olympic Games.

... and their are many failures. I'm one such failure.

Our way to salvation....we all fail. They used the scripture as an example how the athletes trained for the Olympics in Greece and how they trained to win the prize of a wreath of pines. Paul uses this as a comparison how to obtain salvation.

That is, run as the victor runs, in order to attain. We have seen that the victor's success depended on great self-denial in preparation, and the greatest possible effort in the contest. In the Christian race he who crowns is willing to crown not the first only but the last. Yet all must run in a certain way.

 

[ezra]

to get to the prize. we must follow the instructions of Hebrews 12:1-3

 

[wayseer]

Our way to salvation....we all fail. They used the scripture as an example how the athletes trained for the Olympics in Greece and how they trained to win the prize of a wreath of pines. Paul uses this as a comparison how to obtain salvation.

Then where do you see 'grace'? What you seem to advocating is a 'works' based salvation - a point Paul is refuting.

 

[BornAgain]

Then where do you see 'grace'? What you seem to advocating is a 'works' based salvation - a point Paul is refuting.

We are speaking here of 1 Cor 9:24. Salvation is based on works....how do you obtain salvation without doing anything. Grace is a gift that was given to all men by God. Grace and peace sum up all the blessings in Christ, the wealth of God's gracious giving, the results of man's full acceptance. Grace will not save you but obedience will.

Without doubt, obedience is the steppingstone to righteousness; disobedience, to unrighteousness. To obey Jesus Christ, the Lord, is to be his servants. If we obey him, by the obedience to him we come to the state of righteousness into life.

 

[farouk]

It does say in Ephesians 2.9, 'not of works'. The previous verse says salvation is 'by grace'.

 

[BornAgain]

It does say in Ephesians 2.9, 'not of works'. The previous verse says salvation is 'by grace'.

We are saved by works. Hear, believe, repent, confess and be baptized. We are not saved through grace..there is scripture that says we are saved by grace but you have to read the entire context, who the epistle is written to, and who is speaking. We don't get to heaven by doing nothing.

Romans 5:2 KJV

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Through Christ and by the provisions he has made for our entrance into him we have access into this favor (grace) of God in which all true Christians stand. We enter into this state of peace with God through faith in Christ.

Eph 2:9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Not of the works of the Jewish law, or by any works of man's invention or device.
You are back in the Jewish law and not in the works of James.

The term works is used in two senses. It is used to denote the inventions of men or devices of men and to denote the appointments of God. God appoints certain things to be done. Man must do them, but they are God's works.


When he does the things appointed by God, he does not do his own works, but God's. Man is saved by walking in the way appointed by God, by doing the things commanded of God. He is saved in doing the works of God. He is not saved because of the merits of the works, but because he proves his faith by doing the things commanded by God. The works of the Jewish law, after that law was fulfilled and taken out of the way, ceased to be the works and appointments of God, and became man's works. This does not teach that man cannot be saved by walking in the works of God.

 

[farouk]

Romans 4.5 also comes to mind:

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

 

[BornAgain]

Romans 4.5 also comes to mind:

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

To him that does not seek to merit salvation by works of his own, but walks in the law of faith, given by him who justifies the ungodly, his faith leads him to obey the law of faith; and the faith that thus leads him to do what God commands him, that faith will be reckoned unto him for righteousness. It is a faith perfected by obedience—a faith that works through love.

God requires us to do nothing that can possibly claim merit, or for which man could claim favor. There is nothing in believing in God, in repenting toward God, in being baptized out of self into Christ, that would have even the appearance of merit.

Paul was never so unwise as to suppose any incompatibility between faith and what he called "obedience of faith."

Faith is an act of the heart, the soul, the inner man—something the man does. It is a work; man does the work, but it is God's work. It is ordained by God and terminates in and honors God. Jesus said: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:29 So of repentance. "Believe" and "repent" are both active—both done by the subject. The person baptized gives himself up into the hands of the administrator, and is buried out of self, to be raised up in Christ, and, as a servant of God, to "walk in the light, as he is in the light." 1 John 1:7.

his faith is reckoned for righteousness.—The faith that leads a man thus to walk in the works of God and so perfects that faith, God will reckon it to him for righteousness.