In a race, everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourself many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup,[a] but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears.
The Bema/Bima comes from the ancient Olympic games. Where the Judge would be seated at the finish line. The judge would then determine from where he sat who came in first, second, or third. He was the one who awarded each participant, with a gold leaf crown. It is in judgment such as this that believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. That Judge will dispense out