Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

How would you describe your Christian walk? Some people think you make a profession of faith, and you got a golden ticket into Heaven. This is not the life of a Born Again Christian. When you truly become saved, you become Born Again, a regeneration, the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 3) This is not just a profession of faith, this is a transformation of your life

So the Apostle Paul here, describes the Christian walk like an athlete competing in sports. As Paul says “So run, that you may obtain”. We are not to live our Christian life just coasting waiting for the Rapture to come! We should be competing just like a professional athlete competes to win. There should be a drive and hunger to serve The Lord. Athletes don’t go into a contest, waiting for the end or unprepared, they go into a contest and give everything they have until the final sound

Now you might ask “Why should I do this”? Well again, if you are truly Born Again , you have a new heart for God. The fire of the Holy Spirit is inside you, you can’t resist but to serve The Lord. Listen to what Paul says here “Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible” Many athletes will literally almost kill themselves to win a Super Bowl or win a Stanley Cup, however our prize is greater, eternal life to serve an eternal God in an eternal Kingdom! Hallelujah

I want to bring another point here , Paul says “But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection” We know that professional athletes spend the majority of their time training, why? Because without training, you won’t be ready for the big game! Well we as Christians need to be continually training also, we need to continually study the Word of God, continually pray to God, continually be led by the Holy Spirit, continually submit ourselves to Jesus Christ our Lord. 

We should hold ourselves to a higher standard, its not only a great privilege to serve The Lord, but its a great responsibility. Paul says here “when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” When we represent Christ as his servant, we don’t want to bring shame to God, we want to honor God by giving our best effort. Zeal is great, but without knowledge or discernment , it can be destructive. 

The bottom line is Run Your Race, as Jesus said “Deny yourself, Carry your Cross Daily, and Follow Jesus, Amen!