Run Your Race to Win

I Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

You may not be an athlete in the natural, but you can be an athlete in the kingdom of God’s dear Son.  Roman athletes devoted themselves entirely to a course of training, which was preparation to make them fit to excel in running contests.  The athletes contended for a prize that was perishable.  In an attempt to find common ground with the Romans, Paul used the athlete, which the Romans understood, to talk about running the race for an incorruptible prize.  He said in I Corinthians 9NLT, ²⁴“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?  So run to win!  ²⁵All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. ²⁶So I run with purpose in every step.  I am not just shadowboxing. ²⁷I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should”.  Lack of discipline and training will cause the most gifted athlete to be disqualified.  An athlete in the kingdom race must develop his faith muscles to keep from being disqualified.  Whether you are actively competing or not opportunities to develop your faith muscles are presented to you every single day.  Therefore, make every opportunity work for you and not against you.  Paul deemed it necessary to press into those opportunities.  He did as we must do, that is, he pressed toward the finish line to obtain the heavenly prize of eternal life for which God is calling us all in Christ Jesus.  Running this race is not a sprint; it is a marathon and it takes time to develop your faith muscles.  Practically speaking, one day in the gym does not make a muscle.  Stay in faith; practice laying your faith on the line as each opportunity is presented; run with purpose to reach each milestone along the way; and finally, run to win.

Scripture References:  I Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 11:1; Philippians 3:14; Ecclesiastes 9:11

Prayer for today:  Father, by the power of Holy Spirit, I ask for help to make all opportunities to exercise my faith muscles work for me.  In JESUS name, AMEN. 

Whatever you must do today, there is a grace for that.  Accept the grace and make it a sweatless day.

Love

Dianne