This blog arose from my thoughts about Super Bowl LIV. (Since the races that Paul described took place in the Roman Empire, I thought I should use Roman numerals to designate Super Bowl 54.)

In the National Football League, many teams compete. But only one wins the Super Bowl. Only the players on one team win a Super Bowl Ring that they can wear forever.

In the time of the early church, they did not play football. But they did run races and win prizes.

The Apostle Paul used these races as an illustration for how we should live. He wrote to the church at Corinth:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Therefore, Paul urged those who are following the Way of Jesus to “go[ ] into strict training”. For those who run in a race “do it to get a crown [made from an olive branch] that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:25).

Indeed, the crown of righteousness that we win for following the Way of Jesus lasts far longer than a Super Bowl Ring. (2 Timothy 4:8).

Paul’s insistence that we go into strict training to win a crown is especially noteworthy because we know Paul emphasized that we are saved by faith, not by works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

However, Paul also taught that “we are . . . created . . . to do good works.” (Ephesians 2:10). Indeed, he wrote this immediately after telling us not to boast about our good works (because we have not saved ourselves by our good works, but we have been saved by the faith that God gave us) (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Paul insisted that we must have the kind of faith that expresses itself through love. (Galatians 5:6). This is the kind of faith that God gives us.

Not the kind of faith that ignores science.

Not the kind of faith that hates other faiths.

Not the kind of faith that seeks power and money.

We are saved by the kind of faith that expresses itself through love.

What is love?

God is love. (1 John 4:8). We are commanded to love the LORD our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4-6).

Therefore, Paul insisted that we endure “strict training” to express our faith through love. Paul defined this kind of love in the same letter to the Church at Corinth that urged them to endure strict training. (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13).

Our faith must be patient—even with those who insult us.

Our faith must be kind—even with those who bully us.

Our faith must not envy—even those who are more powerful and wealthy than we are.

Our faith must not boast about ways we think we are better than others.

Our faith must not be proud about ways we think we are better than others.

Our faith “does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5).

Our faith “does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6).

Our faith “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Wow! What a wonderful faith! What a hard race to win!

No wonder Paul insists that we endure strict training in order to win this race of love.

By winning this race of love, we can say—as Paul said:  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

By running in this race of love, we can win a crown of righteousness—a crown that will last far longer than a crown made from an olive branch.

By winning this race of love, we will win a crown of righteousness—a crown that will last far longer than a Super Bowl Ring!

READ MORE

To read a more detailed discussion reconciling the tensions among Paul, James, Peter, and John about weaving together faith and works, please read the chapter “James, Peter and John Fellowship with Paul” in my book Lighting the World, at pages 73-82.