Devotional Thoughts for the Week of August 1, 2021 - Running For the Prize
We have been enjoying watching some of the Tokyo Games. Sporting competitions have been around for many centuries. Originally completed in a single day, the Olympic Games were extended to a three-day event in 684 BC. In the fifth century BC the games were extended to five days. Ancient competitions included running, long jump, shot put, javelin throwing, wrestling, boxing, and equestrian events. Over the years additional events have been added and the overall time frame extended. Even after many centuries, Olympic competitions continue to draw athletes and spectators from near and far. Seeing athletes who have devoted themselves to strict training give their all in pursuit of victory stirs up national pride and appreciation. All that effort, however, does not always result in winning a medal. For every elated victor there is a disappointed “almost.” Their tears touch our hearts too.
The apostle Paul was familiar with the games and used them as an illustration for running the race of life. “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 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 a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:22b-27).
Paul was used by the Holy Spirit to write much of the new testament. He carried the Gospel hundreds of miles on foot at great peril. If being disqualified as a runner was a possibility for him, how much more for us! It would be wise, therefore, to consider carefully how we are running the race, carrying the torch of Jesus Christ in our generation. It is time to ask ourselves some serious questions. What have I given up for the sake of the gospel? Am I running aimlessly, oblivious or ignorant of the goal set before me? Am I fighting the actual enemy or just beating the air? Am I spending the time, energy, money, and opportunities that God has entrusted to me to accomplish His purposes? Do I beat my body (harshly put to death my fleshly desires), making it my slave, so that I can be fully devoted to sharing the gospel? Honestly, how many lost people have I talked to about my Jesus in the past week or month? Have I been more focussed on myself or the way I want things to be than on the great commission? Are my prayers self-centered or are they aligned with the heart of my Heavenly Father? Am I allowing anything at all to interfere with God’s purposes for my life?
Jesus’ Parable of the Sheep and the Goats makes it very clear that many who believe themselves to be people of God will be turned away as strangers (Matthew 25:31-46). Brothers and Sisters, the days are growing very short. God is calling His church to wake up, to be holy and wholly devoted. Let us renew our commitment to forget the past and strain with all our might toward the goal of living a life pleasing in the sight of God (Phil. 3:13-14). Run so as to win the prize. In the blink of an eye, literally nothing else will matter.
Lynn
1. https://olympics.com › ioc › the-sports-events
We have been enjoying watching some of the Tokyo Games. Sporting competitions have been around for many centuries. Originally completed in a single day, the Olympic Games were extended to a three-day event in 684 BC. In the fifth century BC the games were extended to five days. Ancient competitions included running, long jump, shot put, javelin throwing, wrestling, boxing, and equestrian events. Over the years additional events have been added and the overall time frame extended. Even after many centuries, Olympic competitions continue to draw athletes and spectators from near and far. Seeing athletes who have devoted themselves to strict training give their all in pursuit of victory stirs up national pride and appreciation. All that effort, however, does not always result in winning a medal. For every elated victor there is a disappointed “almost.” Their tears touch our hearts too.
The apostle Paul was familiar with the games and used them as an illustration for running the race of life. “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 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 a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:22b-27).
Paul was used by the Holy Spirit to write much of the new testament. He carried the Gospel hundreds of miles on foot at great peril. If being disqualified as a runner was a possibility for him, how much more for us! It would be wise, therefore, to consider carefully how we are running the race, carrying the torch of Jesus Christ in our generation. It is time to ask ourselves some serious questions. What have I given up for the sake of the gospel? Am I running aimlessly, oblivious or ignorant of the goal set before me? Am I fighting the actual enemy or just beating the air? Am I spending the time, energy, money, and opportunities that God has entrusted to me to accomplish His purposes? Do I beat my body (harshly put to death my fleshly desires), making it my slave, so that I can be fully devoted to sharing the gospel? Honestly, how many lost people have I talked to about my Jesus in the past week or month? Have I been more focussed on myself or the way I want things to be than on the great commission? Are my prayers self-centered or are they aligned with the heart of my Heavenly Father? Am I allowing anything at all to interfere with God’s purposes for my life?
Jesus’ Parable of the Sheep and the Goats makes it very clear that many who believe themselves to be people of God will be turned away as strangers (Matthew 25:31-46). Brothers and Sisters, the days are growing very short. God is calling His church to wake up, to be holy and wholly devoted. Let us renew our commitment to forget the past and strain with all our might toward the goal of living a life pleasing in the sight of God (Phil. 3:13-14). Run so as to win the prize. In the blink of an eye, literally nothing else will matter.
Lynn
1. https://olympics.com › ioc › the-sports-events
