Natural things reveal spiritual truths. The Lord Jesus said,
“For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.” (Luke 16:8)
This applies to us as Christians. Let’s learn from the wisdom the “people of this world” possess. The Apostle Paul also said:
“Do 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.” (1 Corinthians 9:24 )
When we read this, we see how Paul observed worldly athletes and gained wisdom from their discipline. Similarly, we can learn from them to gain wisdom before our God in heaven.
If you’ve ever watched runners in short or long-distance races, you’ll notice that participants are not all mixed together. Children, adults, men, and women are not randomly combined. Why? Because if they were, the results would be unfair: only one group would dominate the prize, and the competition would lose meaning. To maintain fairness, athletes are separated by age, gender, and ability.
For example, in a 100-meter race, if ten women and ten men ran together, all top ten positions would likely go to the men, and the first woman would only appear in 11th place. To solve this, races are separated: men run against men, women against women.
Even though it may seem unfair that other men ran faster than her, prizes are awarded according to the group, not absolute time. Similarly, races for children or the disabled are separate from adult races, yet the winner’s medal in each category holds equal value.
RACES IN THE CHURCH
In God’s kingdom, all Christians participate in one spiritual race, but God divides us into groups: men, women, and children. Within each group, the reward for those who serve faithfully is equal.
Many Christians try to mix groups, ignoring God’s design. But God has assigned responsibilities in His church according to gender:
“I want men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” (1 Timothy 2:8) “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” (1 Timothy 2:11-12 )
“I want men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” (1 Timothy 2:8)
“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” (1 Timothy 2:11-12 )
These verses clarify that teaching, pastoral leadership, and similar roles are designated for men. A woman who tries to assume roles outside her assigned “race” may work hard, but she will not receive a reward in God’s timing, because she is not running in her intended group.
“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.” (1 Corinthians 14:34 )
THE RACE FOR WOMEN
What does the race for women look like?
“Similarly, women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control… rather, by good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10 )
A woman who lives with peace, modesty, self-control, discipline, purity, and good behavior participates fully in her race alongside other faithful women such as Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah, and Mary Magdalene. On that day, she will receive a reward of equal or even greater value than a man in leadership who has not been fully faithful in his assigned responsibilities. She will sit with Christ on His throne.
Rick Joyner, a well-known American preacher, once described a vision where he saw Christ showing him the heavenly throne room. He noticed that most of the thrones were occupied by women and children, not men as he had expected. This illustrates that faithful women will receive their full reward when they run their race with discipline and devotion.
LESSONS ON FAITHFULNESS
Rewards are measured according to the gifts and responsibilities God has given each of us. Just like a teacher who gives one student ten questions and another one hundred, the first student may achieve 90% while the second achieves 50%. The reward is based on faithfulness to the task given, not the absolute size of the task.
Before learning from the great figures like Moses, Elijah, or Paul, women should learn from faithful examples in Scripture: Miriam (Moses’ sister), Martha, Mary Magdalene, Susanna (Luke 8:1-3), Tabitha, and Lydia (Acts 16:13-15).
Sisters, as you begin your journey of obedience to Christ, remain in the position God has placed you. Strive for holiness, discipline, and be an example to other women. The heavenly throne awaits you.
OUR CALL AS CHRIST’S WITNESSES
All of us, men and women alike, have been called to be witnesses of Christ. Wherever we are, we are to draw others to the kingdom through our actions and character:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15-16 )
Remain faithful in your race, run diligently in the lane God has assigned you, and your reward will be eternal.
Be blessed.
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Scripture (Luke 5:1-7, NIV):1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around Him and listening to the word of God.2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat.4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.”6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
This passage is rich with spiritual significance beyond its literal meaning. Jesus standing by the shore teaching the crowds (v.1) reflects His role as the Divine Teacher, the Logos the Word incarnate (John 1:1-14). The crowd listening to God’s Word illustrates humanity’s hunger for truth, yet it’s from a humble fisherman’s boat that Jesus ministers, symbolizing God’s use of ordinary, even seemingly insignificant, vessels for His extraordinary purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
The “boats” here symbolize our lives, skills, and resources what we depend on for sustenance and livelihood. Jesus choosing an empty boat (v.3) to preach from is deeply symbolic: God often chooses those who feel empty, weak, or exhausted to display His power, highlighting that success comes from divine empowerment, not human effort alone (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Peter’s initial hesitation (v it.5) reflects human doubt and weariness. He had labored all night without success an apt metaphor for those who toil in life or ministry without immediate results. Yet, Peter obeys Jesus’ command to cast the nets again “because You say so.” This is a profound act of faith and submission, echoing Proverbs 3:5-6 trusting God’s guidance even when circumstances seem discouraging.
The resulting miraculous catch (v.6-7) demonstrates the abundant blessing and provision God gives when we cooperate with His will. The nets breaking and boats nearly sinking show that God’s blessings can overflow beyond what we imagine or can contain (Malachi 3:10).
If you feel like you’ve worked hard but seen little fruit whether in your career, ministry, or personal lifethis passage reminds you that God sees your efforts and can turn your “empty boat” into a vessel of blessing.The Boat as Your Means of Livelihood: Your skills, education, business, property, or other resources are like Peter’s boat. Even if they seem “empty” or unproductive right now, God can use them in unexpected ways.God Uses the Ordinary: Jesus did not choose the best or busiest boat, but the empty one. Similarly, God often works through those who feel inadequate or overlooked.Obedience Despite Doubt: Like Peter, obeying God’s word “because You say so” is essential. Faith does not always come with visible evidence but trusting God’s promises leads to breakthrough.Overflowing Blessings: The miracle teaches us that God’s blessings can be abundant and overwhelming sometimes requiring others to share in those blessings (Ecclesiaste 4:9-10).
Beware of trying to “buy” blessings through rituals, anointing oil, or salt without surrendering your own resources and life to God. True blessings come from a heart surrendered and obedient to God’s will (James 4:3-8).
God says, “Draw near to Me, and I will draw near to you” (James 4:8). If you have been laboring hard with little to show f
May God rich.
John 16:13 (ESV):
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
This verse teaches us the ongoing role of the Holy Spirit not just at conversion, but as a continuous guide into God’s truth. Without the Spirit, one cannot truly know God.
Romans 8:9 (ESV):
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”
It is impossible to genuinely know and follow God without the Spirit. Yet, many believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion but later quench Him, often unknowingly. This is evident when people say, “I was once on fire for God, but now I’ve cooled off.” The Bible warns:
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (ESV):
“Do not quench the Spirit.”
Quenching the Spirit means suppressing or resisting His work in our lives. The Spirit is quenched when we resist His leading, especially in growing in truth.
What often causes people to quench the Spirit? The answer is religion and denominationalism.
When Jesus ministered, He found many people bound by their religious systems particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 23). They were diligent in observing God’s law but missed the fuller revelation Christ brought. Their Torah (Law) was incomplete, and they rejected Jesus because He challenged their traditions.
They refused to allow the Holy Spirit to teach them more and lead them into all truth, instead clinging to their religious identity and system.
In the New Testament era, God has never established denominations. The church is one body, united by:
One faith
One baptism
One Spirit
One Lord
One God
Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV):
“There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Yet today, many different denominations exist, often dividing believers over doctrinal preferences and traditions. Paul addressed this problem:
1 Corinthians 1:12-13 (ESV):
“What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
True Christian unity is in Christ, not in denominational labels.
When the Holy Spirit wants to lead a believer deeper into truth such as understanding proper baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38) the person should prayerfully study Scripture and seek the Spirit’s guidance.
John 3:5 (ESV):
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
However, many rush to their denominational traditions instead of Scripture. If their tradition rejects what the Spirit reveals, they reject it too, quenching the Spirit’s work.
When Scripture says:
Revelation 18:4 (ESV):
“Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, and lest you share in her plagues,”
it calls for a spiritual separation from religious bondage and error, not just physical separation.
2 Corinthians 6:15-18 (ESV):
“What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
Believers are called to leave behind false teaching and practices tied to denominationalism that hinder spiritual growth.
Denominations will be instrumental in forming the “mark of the beast” system in the end times. Jesus described two groups of believers in Matthew 25: the wise and foolish virgins.
The wise virgins, representing Spirit-filled believers, carried extra oil symbolizing the Spirit’s revelation and ongoing guidance so their lamps stayed lit. The foolish virgins, representing those content with religious traditions and lacking the Spirit’s fullness, ran out of oil and were shut out from the feast.