And you accuse of adding to the gospel!
Amy.G said:
If you don't run the race you will not receive a prize. An example of not running the race would be a person who accepted Christ on their deathbed.
But this person will not be punished, either. Just as the prodigal son had an inheritance simply by being in the family, and for no other reason, but he squandered it.
The person who receives Jesus on his deathbed will not have time to receive a prize, but neither will he have time to squander his inheritance. He won't have the inheritance of the firstborn, but he's in the family.
I used to race professionally, and it's a perfect antitype to the picture we are given of running the race.
Anyone could get into the race by simply going up to the ticket window and asking for a ticket.
But, if you want to enter the race, you have to qualify. You have to take written tests, driving tests, etc. Then, you are permitted to enter provisionally in which you have to start at the back of the starting grid and show that you're serious about racing. Then, after you show that you are for real, you're permitted to run with the big boys.
Now, even after you're taken off provisional status, you can still become disqualified for doing something illegal, dangerous, or cheating. These people are punished by fines, suspensions, or even permanent loss of their racing license.
However, everyone who runs the race, even if they crash out, has at least a little honor because if you even show up on the starting grid, you have a place, unless you're disqualified. (You're honored by the fans who watch, and the officials.)
But, not everyone who finishes the race gets first place. That's a special honor given only to one person. Top 3 get to stand on the podium and have their pictures taken, etc. (in some races, top 5). Top 10 get trophys or plaques. Top 20 get points.
But, the big picture in the race is not only the honor in that one event, but the overall race in which your accumulated points determine whether you are invited to the finals (top 10 from each region). Only those who have performed consistently can do this. I was invited to the finals because, although my best finish was a 5th place, I performed consistently. The guy who would win one race would go so hard he would crash out of the next one. So, many of the people who outperformed me in individual events would have honor at those events, but did not receive a prize in the big one.
But, the judges would make the rulings: Some received honor and praise, most simply ran the race, some were disqualified. But, there were many times more people there who didn't run the race. No honor, no glory, no anything, but they were there.