Should you ever have the opportunity of visiting ancient Corinth, there is an out-of-the-way, seldom-seen-by-tourists place that makes what Paul wrote to the Corinthians more meaningful. Remember Paul’s comments that those who run in a race should run in such a way as to gain the prize? He was probably thinking of the place near the Corinthian canal where the isthmian games were held every two years. The isthmian were a forerunner of the modern Olympics, and Greeks loved their athletes, who were venerated as basketball and soccer stars are today.
"Everyone who competes in the games," wrote Paul, "goes into strict training" (1 Corinthians 9:25). The old adage, "no pain, no gain," speaks in subdued tones of the discipline, the long hours of training, the hardships day after day so that you are ready when the day comes to compete.
Athletes still use some of the basic training techniques that the Greeks used. To strengthen their muscles they would often carry heavy weights or strap them on their legs, but when the day of the race came, they took off everything that was non-essential.
Using the same analogy to encourage early Christians, the writer of Hebrews said, "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1, kjv). The writer likens your walk with the Lord to the race run by the athlete. It has a starting point that is at your conversion, and it has a terminus–when you meet the Lord. In this contest, the writer says you are to rid yourself of two things–the weights that slow you down, and the sins which, (like a heavy garment, keep you from achieving.
If every word is significant, then there is a reason why two words–weights and sins–are used, and understanding the difference provides insights for us today. The first Greek word means a weight, a burden, or an impediment–anything that keeps you from doing the will of God.
The second Greek word means just what is says–sin. It means "Missing the mark", "falling short of a goal or target." It was the same word that Jesus said we should pray, "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."
The writer says, "Get rid of what keeps you from being at your best, including what you clearly know is wrong–sin!" And how do we do that? First, you make the decision that anything that keeps you from giving of your best to the Master has to go. Then confess and forsake what the Bible calls sin. God’s promise is still in effect as He said, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Staying focused, renewing your determination, and hanging in there day after day is what it takes to win. It’s true when you are running a race and when you are living the Christian life. Resource reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27