REWARD WILL BE GIVEN ACCORDING TO YOUR POSITION

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.

• The man who finishes last in the men’s race may take 11 seconds.
• The first woman may finish in 12 seconds.
• Yet, the first-place woman receives the same prize as the first-place man in his race, based on her group.

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:

• Men have leadership roles in worship, prayer, and teaching.
• Women have specific roles of service, devotion, and discipleship.

“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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