Sketches From The Life of Paul
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 15: Paul to the Corinthians.
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"Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown;
but we an incorruptible." The chaplet of fading
laurel is presented before us in the strongest
contrast with the enduring honor and the crown of
immortal glory which he will receive who runs
with triumph the Christian race, and becomes a
victor in the spiritual warfare. There must be
no flagging of zeal, no wavering steps, or the
effort will be lost. The last few strides of the
contestants in the race were always made with
agonizing effort to keep up undiminished speed.
So the Christian, as he nears the goal, must press
on with even more zeal and determination than
at the first part of his course.
Paul carries the illustration back to the
preparation necessary to the success of the contestants
in the race,—to the preliminary discipline, the
careful and abstemious diet, the temperance in all
things. These were unflinchingly practiced in
order to win the small recompense of earthly
honor. How much more important that the
Christian, whose eternal interest is at stake, be
trained to put appetite and passion under subjection
to reason and the will of God. If men will
voluntarily submit to hardships, privations, and
self-denial to secure the perishable reward of
worldly distinction, how much more should the
Christian be willing to do and to suffer for the
sake of obtaining the crown of glory that fadeth
not away, and the life which runs parallel with
the life of God.
The competitors in the ancient games, after [p. 166] they had submitted to self-denial and rigid
discipline, were not even then sure of the victory.
The prize could be awarded to but one. Some
might put forth the utmost effort to obtain this
crowning honor, 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. Those
who comply with the conditions are not to be
disappointed at the end of the race. They all
may gain the prize, and win and wear the crown
of immortal glory.
Multitudes in the world are witnessing this
game of life, the Christian warfare. The
Monarch of the universe and myriads of heavenly
angels are watching with intense interest the
efforts of those who engage to run the Christian
race. The reward given to every man will be
in accordance with the persevering energy and
faithful earnestness with which he has performed
his part in the great contest.
Paul himself practiced self-denial and
endured severe hardships and privations that he
might win the prize of eternal life, and, by
his example and teachings, lead others also to
be gainers of the same reward. He says: "I
therefore so run, 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." The apostle
desired to arouse his Corinthian brethren to see the
danger that menaced them through self-gratification,
he therefore dwelt on the rigid discipline
and abstemiousness necessary to develop soundness,
vigor, and endurance in the competitors in [p. 167] the games. He drew a contrast between this
preparation and its consequences, and the
self-indulgent life of the Corinthian Christians, who
had matters of eternal interest at stake, and
needed the fullest strength of body and mind in
order to come off victorious. He showed them
that heretofore their course had been highly
censurable; for not even anxiety for spiritual health
and the honor of the gospel could induce them to
deny the cravings of appetite and passion.
In the indulgence of depraved appetites they
had even united with the heathen in their
idolatrous festivals, thus endangering the faith of
those newly converted from idolatry. Paul counsels
them to firmly control their animal passions
and appetites. The body, the master-piece of
God's workmanship, like a perfect and
well-stringed instrument, must be kept in soundness,
in order to produce harmonious action. He says
that unless he should put in practice his own
exhortations, by striving for the mastery over
self, observing temperance in all things, he would,
after preaching to others, himself becomes a
castaway.
The apostle declares that he did not run in the
Christian race uncertainly, that is, indifferently,
willing to be left behind; neither did he fight as
the pugilist practices prior to the fray, beating
the air with empty blows, having no opponent.
But as, when in actual conflict, he contends for
the mastery, overcomes his antagonist by repeated
and well-directed blows, beats him to the ground,
and holds him there till he acknowledges himself
conquered, so did the apostle fight against the
temptations of Satan and the evil propensities of
the carnal nature. [p. 168]
Paul refers his brethren to the experience of
ancient Israel, to the blessings which rewarded
their obedience, and the judgments which followed
their transgressions. He reminds them of
the fact that the Hebrews were led in a miraculous
manner from Egypt, under the protection of
the shadowy cloud by day and the pillar of fire
by night. He recounts how the whole company
were thus safely conducted through the Red Sea,
while the Egyptians, essaying to cross in like
manner, were all drowned. God in these acts
acknowledged all 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 them.
Notwithstanding the favor which God
manifested to the Hebrews, yet because of their
wicked lust for the luxuries which they had left
in Egypt,—because of their sins and rebellion,—
the judgments of God came upon them. The
apostle enjoins upon his brethren the lesson to be
learned: "Now these things were our examples,
to the intent we should not lust after evil things,
as they also lusted."
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