“Training Because Christ has Already Won the Victory”
A layman who was introducing communion Sunday used the Olympics as an entry point. Since the games are going on in Rio right now, this makes excellent sense.
Sometimes, it isn’t what people say that startle or help. Sometimes, it’s what you hear. Don’t get me wrong: the man made some good observations.
However, as he spoke of the intensity with which Olympians train, it occurred to me that Christians do not train in order to win. Rather, Christians train because Christ has already won!
We are challenged to live a life worthy of the calling with which we have been called (Ephesians 4:1). However, in the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul had already written of the victory that Christ had already won. First comes Christ’s victory on our behalf; then comes our worthy walk.
We train in order to honor the one who has already won. Do I take this dynamic seriously? What would it mean if I did take it seriously?
For one thing, it would mean that I would relax. There is no pressure! The competition is already completed, and Christ has won! I think it was Hannah Hurnard who said to her Beloved, “Your love has gotten the victory!” Yes!
For another thing, the fact that Christ has won the victory challenges us to always keep training. After all, Christ’s victory has won eternity for us. When should we stop training to be worthy of such a victory? When eternity comes to an end, I suppose.
So, how do I train? What does my training regimen look like?
First, I need to wake every morning, and before my feet hit the floor, I need to confess two things: God in Christ has already won the decisive victory, and today is the day for me to train myself in living a worthy response to this victory.
Second, I need to realize that everything I do (or refuse to do), as well as everything I undergo (or don’t undergo)—all of these are part of my training. My question should never be, “Do I like this?” Rather, I need to ask, “How can I use this to train to become like the One who is my Trainer who has already won the competition?”
Third, I need to remember that following Christ is a team sport. How am I helping other members of the team to improve, to excel? Am I being a good example, encouraging, pushing?
Fourth, at the end of the day, I need to think back on my day and ask, “Have I trained hard today? How can I train harder tomorrow?”
Christ has already won the gold for Team Sinners. It is up to Team Sinners to respond in glad and disciplined grace.
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