Last week I spoke about the Sacrifice aspect of our Christian walk…well I want to expound on that a little by digging deeper into what the Scripture says about how we as Christians should live.
I think there is no better example than the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 to describe this sacrifice and training that I am speaking of:
“19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
24Do 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.
25Everyone 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. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, 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.”
Paul clearly states the meaning behind the training, but even more importantly we see that Paul is not just sharing empty words with the world…Paul is also putting his words into action.
Part of our training is control…it is this part of our lives that we must master to fully realize the prize that is held for us. The difference between the Christian walk and the training of the athletes is that in athletics only one can realize the prize…but in the Christian walk, all who run the race with perseverance shall receive the award that is waiting at the finish line.
How are you running the race? Are you sharing the words but not applying the actions? Or are you living outside the lines that the World has tried to lay as your boundary?
Paul says that he runs and trains so that he will not miss out on the Glory that he is sharing…are you sharing that glory but living how you want? Don’t miss the point!
I ask you today, make the choice; step up and be what you are claiming to be!
If you are claiming the name of Christ…live like it! If you are claiming to be training for the race…show it! Don’t be the one that misses out, even though you know the right thing to do.
Remember your training! Remember your sacrifice! Remember your chains!
But most of all…Remember your claims!
The Glory of it All 