Going For The Gold

            I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them that love His appearing  ( II Timothy 4:7-8 ).

We are all familiar with the Olympic games, where people from different nations, compete for medals.

One may be a competitor in boxing.

One may be a competitor in swimming.

One may be a competitor in tennis.

One may be a competitor in track.

There are many different events in the Olympic games.

The whole purpose, as I see it, is to demonstrate ones achievement in a particular sport; and of course, to compete for a gold medal.

These competitors spend several months in training, and conditioning themselves, in order to be physically fit for their event.

No doubt, the comforts of a normal life are sacrificed for a life of physical training, sweating, and stretching of muscles.

To win in the Olympics and  receive  a  gold  medal,  one  must  be  in  the  best  of

condition in body and spirit.

One has on their mind the thought of, “Going for the gold.”  Everyone competes to be a winner; and of course, trying for the gold medal.

It must be a wonderful feeling to win an event, and receive a gold medal.  Imagine the ceremony of being handed a gold medal, while millions watch.

All the months of training, sweating, and stretching, has finally paid off.
I want to say, that living for God, bears some resemblance to an Olympic athlete.
Paul said, “He had fought a good fight.”  He was not a heavyweight boxer, trying for a world title, but a preacher, fighting the enemies of the cross of Christ.

We today, as Christians, are in a fight, a spiritual fight.

We fight against sin and the devil.

We must prepare ourselves for this combat.

We must train ourselves spiritually.

We must be spiritually fit to win.

We must pray always.

We must trust in God at all times.

We must not give any ground to the devil.

We, as Christians, are going for the gold, not a gold medal, but a crown of gold, laid up in Heaven.

After Paul finished the work God wanted him to do, he was ready to depart, and be crowned with the gold.  He was going for the gold.  He never quit.  He never turned back.  He kept the faith and finished the course.  He was  a  winner  in  this  life,  and  was going home, to be crowned with the crown of gold.

His stoning was enough to quit, but he was going for the gold.

His beatings was enough to quit, but he was going for the gold.

His shipwreck was enough to give up on God, but he was going for the gold.
His snake bite was enough to lay down and die, but he was going for the gold.
The Roman sword was enough to renounce Christ, but he was going for the gold.

Paul stands today, in the pedestal of glory, in a world of on-looking angels, wearing his crown of gold.

Going for the gold was worth it all.

Paul speaks to you today, weary Christian.  Are you about to give up the race?  Are you about to give up on God?  Are you about to give up the fight?

Don’t be defeated; go for the gold.

Don’t succumb to the devil; go for the gold.

Put your foot on the rock of ages, your hands on the sword of truth, and go for the gold.

We are in a race today, the race of our lives.  We are racing with time, sin, and destiny.

I am in this race for my life.

The devil says, “Come on and take drugs.”  No, I’m going for the gold.

The devil says, “Take some alcohol.”  No, I’m going for the gold.

The devil says, “Come on and sin a little.”  No, I’m going for the gold.

The devil says, “Come on and party.”  No, I’m going for the gold.

I’m running, running, running, for my Jesus.

I’m running for the gold.

I’ve got my mind made up.

I’ve got my foot on the rock.

I’m running my last mile home.

The last mile is the toughest, but I have the Spirit of God to help me.

I have the hand of God.

I have the Word of God.

I have the Name of Jesus.

I’m kicking.

I’m sweating.

I’m stretching.

I see the finish line drawn on the portals of glory.

I’m going for the gold; I’m going for the gold.

I’m going to finish this race.

I’m going to finish this course.

Stand back, sin!

Stand back, devil!

Stand back, world!

Canaan land is just in sight.

Heaven’s bandstand is all in place.

Angel choirs are gathered.

The Judge is waiting.

The gold of glory, is worth more than all the jewels of Hell.

I admonish you sinner, get in the race for the gold of Heaven.

I admonish you saint, don’t give up the race, go for the gold.