The prize that Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians is not salvation but the reward of Heaven promised to the faithful one who stays in the race.
Paul mentions it again in his writing to the Colossians:
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” -Colossians 1:21-23
This is just one place where Scripture describes Christians who started out well but didn’t finish well; they finished weak and carnal.
As I stated, a believer will never lose their sonship as family identity, but the Bible is filled with passages about Jesus rewarding those who run well and who fought the fight of faith well.
Not only does Paul speak about rewards and honor for the faithful, but Jesus is constantly teaching in His parables about giving an account for what we were asked to do—like at the Judgment Seat or in the parable in Luke 20 about using our resources.
The prize—the reward of finishing well—was certainly on Paul’s mind when he wrote 2 Timothy 4.
He was near the end of his life and he knew it. He knew he would be judged by his works and was confident that he had “fought the good fight, I have finished the race ... (2 Timothy 4:7).” Then he said that there is a crown that awaits him in Heaven.
His next statement is about Demas who had jumped ship and left him because he loved the world more than staying in the fight. Was Demas saved? Certainly, but he got out of the race for the prize and had to give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ related to his works, not his salvation.
Yes, the Christian life is not easy, and believing God in the midst of trials and suffering is the most difficult of all. Many have abandoned the fight because of their disappointment with God.
Many Christians started out well but didn't finish well. They become carnal Christians who are born again but are still babies in their spiritual walk and maturity.
“Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?” –1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Yes, Christians can fail to persevere in faithfulness and forfeit the prize.
“Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.” –Colossians 2:18
First Timothy is full of examples of those who wander from the faith—those who deny Christ with their life or who love money too deeply and become worse than an unbeliever.
They had the faith, but they wandered from it.
Serious stuff isn’t it? The prize that awaits us is the very reason we need to encourage each other to stay in the race and be all in for Jesus every day.
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FaithJohn Maisel
John's travels for ministry behind the Iron Curtain led him to found East-West Ministries International in 1993. John and his wife, Susie, live in Dallas, Texas and have a grown daughter and two grandchildren.