1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All 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. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Happy New Year!
I don’t know how you feel about new years but I love them. They are a fresh start. Failures and disappointments can be left behind and the page is clean. It is a time for fresh dreams and goals. Forget what happened last year and lets start to look forwards with hope and make plans and goals that will shape us.
Whatever your plans are this year, I would encourage you to think about how you can grow in your faith. A lot of people talk about faith and maturity as something that just happens. An organic process. However, Paul does not see it like that. He says that he disciplines his body like an athlete so that he will not be disqualified.
Have you ever met an athlete? I had a competitive kick boxer in my small group for a while and he was aware of everything that he did. He watched what he consumed, got up early to train, stretched himself and was incredibly disciplined. He told me that if you aren’t willing to work as hard as your opponent, you will lose. He was saying that it is discipline that underpins growth and success. Paul says the same - a disciple of Jesus is disciplined. To become like Christ, we need to train. He does not run through life aimlessly but has a goal and purpose.
Interestingly, Paul says that it is his body that requires discipline. It is his body that gets in the way of his spirit and so it is his practical and physical habits that either provide capacity or undermine his spirituality. When we are looking at following Jesus, it is often our bodies that need to be trained to allow us to grow spiritually. Some find it hard to get up early and have a quiet time. Others are too tired to get to church on Sunday. Or perhaps we find fasting too uncomfortable. Our bodies will get in the way of our spiritual growth if we allow them to. Do not follow your feelings, train them so that they will lead you closer to Jesus.
His fear is that if he does not discipline himself that he will find himself qualified from the very treasure he is preaching to others. He uses the word ἀδόκιμος (adokimos) which means to be cast away, as in when you remove imperfections from a metal. It is the gunk that is scraped off and thrown aside. His fear is that if he allows his body and appetite to be unchecked, that he will become gunky, so far from God that he will be altogether lost. The prize is worth fighting for and the danger must be realised and avoided.
Become like Jesus purposefully.
What are you running towards this year?
