Having and keeping the winning edge is something that we have heard about in sports and business all our lives. Finding that special technique, training regiment, system, or guidance that will give us an edge over our competitors. Gaining that edge has driven many to a point of competitiveness that they have gone to such desperate lengths as to lie, cheat, and take extreme measures to insure their success. It’s the level of competitiveness that triggers something inside an individual to win at all cost and to be at the top of their field. The desire to be viewed by their patrons, followers, colleagues, and competitors as great seems to trigger the fight or flight mechanism. These few choose to fight. They take a win at all cost attitude. When that mechanism is triggered, with adequate training, and time a dedicated individual will usually find the success they are looking for.
To aspire to greatness, is our purpose. Everyone, at some level, would enjoy standing before a group of their colleagues and individuals to be recognized for the achievements of which they have worked so hard. The long nights, the sweat, the tears, worry, sacrifices, training, giving, and all that it takes to truly achieve greatness must stand for something. It must mean more than a simple trophy on a shelf. To know, that your hard work and success has not gone unnoticed and is appreciated is something everyone loves to hear and is the ultimate culmination of the hard work of a winner. This represents a level of success that many never see. Why not? They are missing that special something, the winning edge.
What is the “Winning Edge?” It is an attitude. This attitude brings to it a fixation on the task at hand. It has a laser guided focus. It has a clear understanding of everything that it takes to complete the goal. It is relentless in its pursuit. It doesn’t view minor failures as failures but learning experiences. It fights with a desperateness that others do not possess. It refuses to hear when others say discouraging or disparaging words. It adapts to situations, to continue moving forward. It seeks out opportunities in every situation and capitalizes on them. In this attitude, every moment in life has a purpose of which drives the individual to achieve. This attitude has a plan and works it aggressively!
We need this same attitude in regards to our faith! Paul compared salvation to running a race in I Cor. 9:24-27.
He said, “24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 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.”
Our winning in the race for salvation in Jesus Christ is beyond measure in comparison to a competition or a job. Yet, here, Paul makes this rather visual comparison to illustrate the similarities. He states that first one must strive for mastery and in doing this you must be in control. He goes on to point the vast difference in winning the race of man and in winning in the race for salvation. We must run and obtain that winning edge even in regards to our salvation, because the prize we seek is eternal. What if we put the same dedication to living our life for Christ as we do in the things in life that bring us such temporary pleasure? What if that “winning edge” attitude where truly applied to our salvation thinking? This is what Christ is looking for and this is what it takes to obtain the prize. We cannot simply say, that Christ died, He did all the work, and all is done. I believe so I obtain the prize. No, time and time again, salvation is compared to running the race. You win or lose a race. There will be an awards ceremony. There will be a time at which we will stand and be recognized for our achievements or lack thereof. When that time comes we will hear one of two things, “Depart from me I never knew you,” or “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Please, note this has no bearing on God’s grace in our lives. We must first be in the race for His grace to mean anything to us. That grace took place at the cross, beyond that we must strive our best to win. His grace is sufficient beyond our failures, provided our failures happen in our struggle to win. Did you get that? God’s grace is sufficient as long as you are trying to win the race! Don’t expect God’s grace when your choice is to enter the race but simply stand on the track. You can’t win a race by standing still! Paul said, “run all!” All should be running for the prize! These are strong words I’m sure. Some will struggle with this principle. Understand we are not simply talking about works. We are talking about a relationship! Our relationship with Christ is built upon our time spent with Him in study, prayer, telling others, giving, personal sacrifice, works, and more. This where we find the winning edge in Him.
I pray you take the time today and take a look at your life. Do you have the winning edge? I challenge you to truly stop and evaluate your situation. Does your Christian walk exist of simply saying, “I believe” or is your daily life consumed with living it. It’s one thing to say that I’m in the race and it’s another to say I’m striving to win it. This is what Paul means when he says “24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” We don’t run simply to run, we run to win and obtain the prize. Christ sacrifice was not made so that we could simply rest on our laurels and wait for his return. His sacrifice was made so that salvation would be attainable. We still must live in His grace and strive to exist and live as He did. This calls us to action, obedience, and personal sacrifice. Our existence with Him in the future rests on our persistence in Him today.
Serving Christ by Serving You,
Bryan K. Taunton
Executive Dir. FootWash Ministries
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