“我们……就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪，存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程”（来12:1）。{FH.51 .1}
这节经文用保罗时代非常有名的一个公共赛事来说明基督徒的赛跑。赛跑的选手们要经历艰苦的训练过程，实行最严格的克己，使他们的体能处于最佳状态，然后他们要竭力争取一个会朽坏之桂冠的尊荣。结果是有些人永远无法康复了。由于可怕的劳损，选手们有时会倒在跑道上，口与鼻鲜血迸流。有些人则用尽了最后的气力，紧紧抓着那让他们付出了如此昂贵代价的华而不实的东西。{FH.51 .2}
保罗把跟从基督的人比作赛跑的选手。这位使徒说：“他们不过是要得能坏的冠冕；我们却是要得不能坏的冠冕”（林前9:25）。保罗在这里作了一个鲜明的对比，使自称基督徒的人付出的微薄努力相形见绌。他们为自己自私的放纵辩解，不肯借着舍己和严格的节制习惯置身于可以成功得胜的境地。凡参加公开竞赛的人，都因成功的奖赏而欢欣鼓舞，跃跃欲试。在基督徒前头也摆着一个奖赏，是给忠心跑到底之人的。他们若赢得了那奖赏，将来的福利便有了保证。那极重无比永远的荣耀是为得胜者保留的。……{FH.51 .3}
在赛跑中，荣冠是放在选手们看得到的地方的，若有人受试探片刻放松自己的努力，他就会注目那奖赏，于是便激发出新的活力。照样，天国的目标也摆在基督徒眼前，影响并激励众人的热心和热忱。……{FH.51 .4}
众人都参加赛跑，但得奖赏的只有一人。……基督徒的赛跑却不是如此。凡是认真而有恒心的人都会成功。快跑的未必能赢；力战的未必得胜。——《评论与通讯》，1881年10月18日。{FH.51 .5}
The Christian Race, February 8
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.?Hebrews 12:1.?{FH 51.1}[1]
In this text one of the public games so famous in Paul’s time is used to illustrate the Christian race. The competitors in the race submitted to a painful training process, practicing the most rigid self-denial that their physical powers might be in the most favorable condition, and then they taxed these powers to the utmost to win the honor of a perishable wreath. Some never recovered from the effects. In consequence of the terrible strain, men would sometimes fall by the racecourse, bleeding at the mouth and nose. Others breathed out their life, firmly grasping the poor bauble that had cost them so dear.?{FH 51.2}[2]
Paul compares the followers of Christ to the competitors in a race. “Now,” says the apostle, “they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Here Paul makes a sharp contrast, to put to shame the feeble efforts of professed Christians who plead for their selfish indulgences and refuse to place themselves, by self-denial and strictly temperate habits, in a position that they will make a success of overcoming. All who entered the list in the public games were animated and excited by the hope of a prize if they were successful. In like manner a prize is held out before Christians, the reward of faithfulness to the end of the race. If the prize is won, their future welfare is assured; an exceeding and eternal weight of glory is in reserve for the overcomers....?{FH 51.3}[3]
In the races, the crown of honor was placed in sight of the competitors, that if any were tempted for a moment to relax their efforts, the eye would rest on the prize, and they would be inspired with new vigor. So the heavenly goal is presented to the view of the Christian, that it may have its just influence and inspire all with zeal and ardor....?{FH 51.4}[4]
All ran in the race, but only one received the prize.... It is not so with the Christian race. None who are earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint as well as the strongest may obtain the crown of immortal glory, if they are thoroughly in earnest and will submit to privation and loss for Christ’s sake.—The Review and Herald, October 18, 1881.?{FH 51.5}[5]
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