Run to Win
By George Stroh
October 3, 2022
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (1 Corinthians 9:24)
In his letter to the Church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul, uses the analogy of a foot race to explain or picture living a successful Christian life. Everyone in this race has eternal life by grace, through faith in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. His point is that you are already in the race, now run in such way that you may win.
Probably there is nothing more distasteful, other than false teachers and their false doctrines, than so called "lukewarm" Christians, who usually are not Christians at all. Jesus sent a letter to the useless Church in Laodicea; "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. (Revelation 3:15,16)
Back to Paul's analogy. How can we win the race and live a successful Christian life? Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:25-27) Again, Paul is not worried about losing His salvation when he says he wants to avoid being "disqualified". Rather, he intends to win the race; For I am convinced that neither death, not life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38,39)
If you are truly a born again Christian, not just religious or a Christian in name only, you are in the race. Now strive to win by exercising self control in all things, being faithful and obedient to God's word and all that you do, do to the glory of God! (1 Corinthians 10:31b)
Maranatha!
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