1 Corinthian 9:24-25 - You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. (The Message)

Athletes are by nature extremely competitive people. Not only do they want to win the game, but they also want to be the best in their sport or at their position. We measure athletes by their performance and their statistics. As time goes by new players come and stats are bettered and records are broken and rewritten. When a Christian’s name is written in God’s record book, it doesn’t get surpassed or erased. It is there forever.