Is Competition a good or bad thing?
I love competition. Games that don’t keep score make no sense to me, and are out right boring. I want to know who is the winner and who is the loser. The day after the big Duke vs. UNC game I am bathing in the joy of Duke’s victory, but I know there is a rematch coming (and I love it). Win or lose, I love competitive games. Two great teams, two great coaches, two great schools. LOVE IT!
Competitive people are usually driven people who run hard with clear purpose. However, is being competitive a part of good Christian character?
My answer is yes (but I might be biased)? Here is why I take this stance…
1. In Scripture, Competition is used as a metaphor for our spiritual walk.
2. In Scripture, Heaven is presented as the ultimate trophy.
All great championships have a trophy, a cup, a plate, or a chalice.
Three questions for the competitive Christian:
1. For who are you competing: Christ or self
2. By what power are you competing: Holy Spirit or Self
3. For what are you competing: Temporary Trophy or Eternal Trophy
1 Corinthians 9:23-25 (New International Version)
23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.