“The Race and The Disgrace”

Revelation 20:11-15

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ And if anyone's name was not found written in the Lamb’s book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

 

September 24^th marked the 35^th anniversary of the 100 meters race labeled “The Race and The Disgrace” Think back to the 1988 summer Olympics games in Seoul. The big rivalry between the American runner, Carl Lewis, and the Canadian runner, Ben Johnson.

Ben Johnson won the 100 meters race in a new world record time over the American, who was favored to win. He was acclaimed for his great fate and winning over Carl Lewis. This was not only a triumphant win for Ben Johnson but all of Canada. This emotional high lasted for 62 hours.

When the doping test from the finals were available it showed Ben Johnson was what was labeled as “doping”. My today’s standard he would have been within limits. One of the many strange things about this competition was in the first Olympics trials Carl Lewis had tested positive for doping. Ben Johnson went from a nation hero to disgraced within three days.

We must remember there is a final test we have to go through after our race is complete. I don’t know about you but I know I can’t pass the test on my own. I will look to and lift up the Cross that Jesus died on to save me the disgrace of what is written in the book of the account of how I lived my life.

 

Romans 10:8-11

⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

 

Oh God of all knowledge and grace may you give your peace and protection to those that lean on the name of Your Son as Lord and Savior. Rest your hand of healing and peace on those physically, emotionally and spiritually wounded and hurting. Please use me to spread the Good News of how to get your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. This I lift up by the authority of the blood shed on the cross by Jesus. Amen

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Source for Bible text - www.biblegateway.com