Friday, March 30, 2012

Win the Race (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

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. 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. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
(1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NASB)

We are running a race towards an amazing, mind-boggling finish line. And despite what Paul writes, each of us can win the prize. Each of us who follows Christ will one day receive what Peter calls a “crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4). We don’t know what these crowns will be like, but it appears our crowns are being—for lack of a better word—designed based on how we serve God and others while we’re here on earth (see Matthew 6:1-7; Luke 6:23; Luke 6:35; Hebrews 2:2; 2 John 1:8).

Our reward will be imperishable, eternal.

As I was meditating over these verses, something struck me … We’re not racing against anyone else. We’re not competing against anyone else. We don’t have to be concerned about where anyone else is as he runs his own race.

We can, instead, celebrate how everyone is running. And we can focus on making certain we’re running our own races with discipline and self-control. We can seek God’s will and follow His unique plan.

And we can know that, if we run well, if we serve God—heart, soul, mind, and strength—we’ll win the race … and receive the crown of glory.

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