What are you training for?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
"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. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
There are many big sporting events coming up. The Super Bowl in American football, the six nations in rugby, the Olympics, and the FIFA world cup. The athletes that are participating put in many hours, many days, over many years training to compete at this level. They deprive themselves many times of things that they would like to eat or drink or do in order to be in the position to compete at such a high level. They typically have strict diets and strict schedules, I've even heard of the planning down to 15 minute time blocks. They often times center their life around training, making every decision based on how it is going to affect their pursuit. All of this for a prize that will not endure an eternity.
We are told to apply this training to our spiritual life. We are to center our lives around attaining the eternal crown (reward) it mentions in this passage.We are to deprive ourselves of anything that we desire if it is going to negatively impact us in our pursuit of the eternal crown. Paul says, " I strike a blow to my body..." this is not a physical blow. He is talking about his spirit overcoming his flesh. He deprives his body/flesh of what it wants so that he will receive his reward/prize in heaven.
Now consider this, most athletes who reach the peak of their sports do not arrive their by doing it all themselves. They have training partners, coaches, mentors, and a variety of other supporters. So do not think for a second that if you want to reach the peak of what you can accomplish spiritually that you can do it on your own. It helps to have people beside you training, supporting you, coaching you, pushing you and holding you accountable spiritually as well.
Remember salvation is free, but you are rewarded according to what you have done. Revelations 22:12 (NIV) "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."
Challenge: Start training spiritually as if you would physically for the Olympics. Make sacrifices for your spiritual growth.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)
"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. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
There are many big sporting events coming up. The Super Bowl in American football, the six nations in rugby, the Olympics, and the FIFA world cup. The athletes that are participating put in many hours, many days, over many years training to compete at this level. They deprive themselves many times of things that they would like to eat or drink or do in order to be in the position to compete at such a high level. They typically have strict diets and strict schedules, I've even heard of the planning down to 15 minute time blocks. They often times center their life around training, making every decision based on how it is going to affect their pursuit. All of this for a prize that will not endure an eternity.
We are told to apply this training to our spiritual life. We are to center our lives around attaining the eternal crown (reward) it mentions in this passage.We are to deprive ourselves of anything that we desire if it is going to negatively impact us in our pursuit of the eternal crown. Paul says, " I strike a blow to my body..." this is not a physical blow. He is talking about his spirit overcoming his flesh. He deprives his body/flesh of what it wants so that he will receive his reward/prize in heaven.
Now consider this, most athletes who reach the peak of their sports do not arrive their by doing it all themselves. They have training partners, coaches, mentors, and a variety of other supporters. So do not think for a second that if you want to reach the peak of what you can accomplish spiritually that you can do it on your own. It helps to have people beside you training, supporting you, coaching you, pushing you and holding you accountable spiritually as well.
Remember salvation is free, but you are rewarded according to what you have done. Revelations 22:12 (NIV) "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."
Challenge: Start training spiritually as if you would physically for the Olympics. Make sacrifices for your spiritual growth.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)
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