24 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. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (NASB - my favorite translation)
Thoughts? It doesn't have to be deep. Maybe the first thing that jumped out at you or a cross reference that applies...or maybe how it will apply to our group as we prepare to go to Mexico...or you as an individual?
11 comments:
This is a neat verse! I really like how he relates our Christian walk to being an Olympic athlete. Olympian's strive and fight and work so hard there whole life sometimes just for a chance at winning a medal. If we applied this same drive and never say die attitude toward our walk with the Lord we would be far more effective for the Kingdom of God!
I like how it talks about boxing but not beating the air. To me that says that we should not practice but run this race with all intent of winning, day to day
It seems that much of our life is speant fighting between the will of the flesh and the will of the spirit. If we are to be effective as Christians we need to quit trying to make excuses as to why we keep on sinning; "why we constantly go back to the garbage can to make sure it still stinks",as Pastor Rob would say, and fight our flesh like we intend to kill it and not just put it back on the shelf. The problem with something being "out of sight, out of mind" is that, occassionally, we remember what we put off and decide to get back to it.
This is a great set of verses. It really speaks to the effort we put forth to serve God on a daily basis, every minute of every day. Sometimes it is like we kinds shove our devotionals and servitude into a little box and only use them when convenient. But it is so much more than that, it should be our very being serving and honoring what is His. I know that when I serve him wholeheartedly he rewards me by allowing my life to be joyful. Why is it that I don't give Him my all 24-7.....
I like how the verse says, Run in such a way that you may win. To me this says that we as a whole need to focus on what happens at the end. And relating to the Trip. That one thing in the end is putting the people at the camp, in the walk of God.
A verse that compliments this well is the one in Romans that says we are more than conquerors in Him who loves us. (8:37, i think) We can strive and strive all we want, and run as hard as we can but unless we get our strength from the Lord we cannot conqueror.
"One receives the prize..." I like that. We, as a group, are ONE in Christ. Washed in his blood, called for His purpose. Pray for unity in our group. I am looking forward to seing how God directs us, how He uses us.
In this verse i think its saying to always prepare yourself in the word and having faith in God, because even if things in your life are going good right at the moment you might have a trial when you least expecte it, and if u dont know the word and you lose your faith then you could be making a gap between you and God.
I also think when it says, "but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified its saying that you should not only tell people how to follow God you should also show them by the way you live your life.
Can I follow even though I'm not going? ;) I love reading the comments...and why are there fish at the bottom of the page?
I am not sure why the fish are there, anyone know? And 'yes' you can follow along Sarah, that would be fabulous.
Did you all catch the last part? Paul understood that if he relaxed, took a break, lower his standards, or tried to take a shortcut that he could be disqualified. If the race is ran to win a imperishable award, than to be disqualified would mean you can't win the prize. What's the prize, eternal life. Why some people insist on saying that it doesn't really matter what we do with our Christianity cause we are eternally secure is beyond me. Paul didn't consider himself eternally secure until he had finished the race of life.
This is not to say that we don't all trip and fall along the way, we all do, but like Paul we get back up, dust ourselves off, and continue to run because we understand the importance of the race.
I like your comment Mollie about Rom. 8:37, the preceding verses let us know that regardless of what happens during our 'race' we are expected to keep running.
'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?'
Rom. 8:35
No person, event, or thing can separate us from the love of God! We have been proclaimed 'not guilty' under the blood of Christ, lets run like we are forgiven.
Paul, having experienced 'tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, and peril' all but the sword at this point, knew God loved him at all times.
We can be confident in one thing while we run, its that God will always love us regardless of whether you run until the end, stop and take a breather, fall down, get hurt, or give up. It's up to us whether we run with an 'aim' like Paul did.
Sorry that was longer than I intended it to be. Love you guys, and can't wait to eat some tacos in Mexico, I mean preach the gospel.
The fish are because I thought they were cool. I even hand-picked their colors.
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