Read 1 Corinthians 9:19–27
Run in such a way as to get the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24
Athletes must be disciplined if they are to win the prize. Discipline means giving up the good and the better for the best. Athletes must watch their diet as well as their sleeping schedules. They must smile and say, “No, thank you,” when people offer them fattening desserts or invite them to late-night parties. There is nothing wrong with food or fun, but if they interfere with people’s highest goals, then they become hindrances.
We Christians do not run the race in order to get to heaven. We are in the
race because we have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Only Greek citizens were allowed to participate in the games, and they had to obey the rules both in their training and in their performing; any contestant found breaking the training rules was disqualified. Famous athlete Jim Thorpe had to return his Olympic gold medals because it was discovered that he had previously played on a professional team.
In order to give up his rights and have the joy of winning lost souls, Paul
had to discipline himself. That is the emphasis of 1 Corinthians 9: Authority (rights) must be balanced by discipline. If we want to serve the Lord and win His reward, we must pay the price.
Something to Ponder
In what ways has your spiritual life been like a race so far?