Are you on the bench or in the game?

2 Timothy 2:5
{5} Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

“If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?”
                    Vince Lombardi, American Football Legend,
                    Former Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers

This is the second of three illustrations which the Apostle Paul used to describe faithfulness and commitment. It is the illustration of an athlete. If we are to guard the gospel we must do so as an athlete. Athletic competition was something which would have been widely understood by the general reader of Paul’s day. Although there were other famous athletic competitions, the most widely known was the Olympic games. In order for the athlete to compete he must be faithful and committed both in preparation and participation.

Competition is the concept of attempting to win
{5} Also if anyone competes as an athlete, …
The whole basis of athletic competition both in the ancient and modern world is to attempt to win a victory, to prove that you are capable of beating an opponent. The modern church has become far more spectator oriented that participant oriented. I guess if you are going to be sitting in the stadium and only watching the game then being a spectator is fine. But Christianity is not described in the New Testament as a spectator sport. The church of scripture must be viewed as a player that is playing to win. Here is a call from the Apostle for us all get our games faces on and get on the field with our eyes on a victory. The great commission was not given for us to study – it was given to us to do.

Completion must be done according to the rules
{5} … he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
An interesting insight in the verse is the concept of playing according to the rules. The Olympic games had a set of rules which all athletes had to follow. Participants of the games, as well as their fathers and brothers, had to swear an oath on the cooked flesh of a boar that they would not sin against the Olympian games. The Athlete himself had to take a further oath that he had strictly followed the regulations for training for a ten month period. An oath was also taken by those judges who would examine the candidates against receiving a bribe or giving personal information about any athlete to anyone. All of the Olympic judges were chosen from the regional area of Elis, of which Olympia was a part. So well regarded were the reputations of fairness among the Elis judges that any common citizen would have been shocked to discover they had not judged fairly. The existence of rules in a game underscores the honor and prestige of the one who wins. Our rule book is scripture. The rules of a Christian in guarding the gospel would be simple. Know truth, don’t change truth, and teach/preach truth.

There is a prize for those who win
{5} … win the prize …
There are two types of crowns mentioned in the New Testament. The DIADEM crown was a crown given and worn because of the nobility of position. It would be a crown worn by royalty, they did not earn the crown, it was given to them because of their birth or status. The crown mentioned in this text is the STEPHANOS crown. This crown, usually made of twigs and leaves is the reward given to an individual because of their personal win or achievement. It is an earned crown. There is great reward for those who guard the Gospel. There is great reward to those who will faithfully commit themselves to winning victories for God.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to get off the bench and get in the game. May I win for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.