The headline read, "Johnson, Canadian Star, Sets Dash Record". Ben Johnson was crowned as the fastest moving man on the planet earth! The account, reported on September 24th, 1988, went on to say, "Ben Johnson lived up to his reputation as 'the fastest man in the world,' winning the Olympic 100-meter dash in the record time of 9.79 seconds. The Canadian star outran his arch-rival, Carl Lewis, who set an American record with his time of 9.92 seconds."

However, just a few short days later, the story changed. The newly chronicled example of failing to run according to the rules would become that of Ben Johnson. The following account reveals the end of the story.

Headline: "Tested For Drugs, Johnson Loses Gold Medal"

Sept. 30. Ben Johnson, who was toasted only a few days ago as the fastest human in the world, is on his way back to Canada, stripped of his gold medal for having used an anabolic steroid in the Olympics. Johnson's medal was taken away from him and awarded to the second place finisher, Carl Lewis, of the United States. . . . 'This is a tragedy, a mistake or a sabotage,' said Larry Heidebrecht, Johnson's manager."

Johnson is not the first and will not be the last example of a competitor who had not run according to the rules. The lesson has been often exemplified in the world of competition and specifically the world of sports: One must "run" according to the rules. It is not only whether one crosses the finish line first, or whether one defeats an opponent, but whether one has won lawfully, according to the established rules! The rules are there to make the playing field level and to insure that the champion is indeed deserving of his or her recognition.

Even in Bible days the concept of running lawfully was clearly understood. Paul stated this in writing to Timothy as he instructed this young preacher: "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully (II Timothy 2:5)." God has clearly established and communicated the rules for admittance to heaven, faith alone in Jesus Christ. It is possible for you to be running a religious race, but not the Christian race. If you are trusting in a denomination, in your membership in a local church, in a ritual performed by a church, in your church attendance, in the giving of money, or in your own righteousness, then you are not running according to the rules. The Bible says, "For by grace are ye saved, through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)."

Not only has the Lord laid out the rules for crossing the finish line in heaven, for becoming a Bible Christian, but the Lord has also laid out the rules for running as a Bible Christian as we live in this world. If we are trusting Jesus alone as our personal Saviour, then God has laid out how we ought to walk as those who have been saved by grace and not by works. There are a good number of rules on how we ought to "run", live, work, relate, and/or worship. For instance, we are not to pray for men's hearing. We are not to give for men's seeing. We are not to work with eye service. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to speak the truth in love. The admonitions and biblical challenges are diverse relating to the many areas of life and living!

There is also a day of reward for those who"run" lawfully! Let's not forget that all the excitement, all the emotion, and the psychological satisfaction that comes with crossing the finish line will be neutralized, canceled out, and offset by the stark realization that we have not "run" lawfully and the rewards will not be conferred. It will become a day of disappointment & disillusionment, not a day of rejoicing & celebration! It will not be a mistake or sabotage, as Johnson's manager claimed about Johnson. It will be a personal tragedy!