1st Corinthians 9:24-27 is one of my favorite verses in the scriptures! it reads,
“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 my body and make it my slave so that after i have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”
i have a simple question for you fellas…….Are you running to win? Paul in this passage likens the believer in Christ to an athlete who competed in the Isthmian games. The Corinthians were well acquainted with these games, and they understood the level of discipline those who participated in them imposed on themselves. every competition whether it’s boxing, tennis, basketball, racing etc. have those who compete and those who not only compete but WIN. I think about Floyd Mayweather who boast of a perfect 50-0 record and is considered by many to be the best boxer ever, I consider the Serena Williams of the world, the Michael Jordans, Kobe Bryant’s and the Tiger woods. I could go on, but you get the point, everyone I named were not just competitors in their respective sports, but WINNERS!
Winning takes effort, intention and diligence. If that weren’t the case everyone would surely choose to win. When Paul encourages the Corinthians to ” Run in such a way as to get the prize” He’s encouraging them (and us) to adopt a winning mindset and attitude, the exact same mindset of the top athletes and performers throughout history have adopted. All winners are different from one another, they have different backgrounds and upbringings, they are different sizes different nationalities and genders, and all had their share of obstacles and roadblocks that stood in their way of accomplishing their goals. What all winners share in common however is the will to make their bodies their slaves as they become laser focused on the ultimate goal of being a champion.
The great ones give up privileges that they’re entitled to as they elect to go down a path of resistance and suffering. They give up certain foods in their diets, they set partying with their friends and family aside, and they even give up sleep and rest in their pursuits. Again, Paul uses the Athlete and his sacrificial lifestyle as an analogy for how the believer in Christ ought to live himself and even more so. The Corinthians knew they were FREE to eat any meats sold in the markets, even if certain meats had been offered first to idols. The problem was not all of the believers felt that this was right in the eyes of God. Paul’s desire was to show them how love should drive our behavior and not freedom. He himself had willingly gave up certain rights he had in order to better serve his fellow man and win some to Christ and he desired that they did the same. For Paul hearing the Lord say ” Well done” was his championship ring! his finish line was entering the kingdom of God with the Lord Jesus being proud of his service, and he viewed every sacrifice he made from this perspective. Just like the athlete who gives up partying on weekends in exchange for going to the gym and putting his body through hell, that decision is made not because it feels better, or it makes him happier, but because of the result it will produce!
Are you running to win or are you just running? What finish line are you striving to cross? what’s the championship for you? if you’re a believer then you should share the same answers Paul had, and you should also understand that their are some sacrifices that you’ll have to make because of it. I desire to WIN, and winning puts a demand on me to be self controlled, disciplined and focused! Thankfully the holy spirit given to us by God enables us to live this Christian life out.
i encourage you to lean on him for strength and trust him on your journey, then and only then will success in life become a tangible reality for you and me. #MaxOut