...run to win the race...

“24 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. 25 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. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to 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 9:24-27.

Here Paul is saying that the Gospel will demand of us all that we give up some of our ‘rights’ and ‘freedoms’, even if this feels like going into hard, athletic training. Paul doesn’t want to end up himself, and doesn’t want his churches to end up, like people in a boxing ring who are simply waving their arms around. Far too much of Christianity is like that today, and Paul saw the danger already: people making a lot of fuss about some things but doing none of the hard and demanding moral (or for that matter intellectual) work that would actually advance the Gospel in their own lives and the world.

In verse 24, Paul make the point that we shouldn’t enter the race unless we’re going to go all out to win. You see, Paul is saying that, when we win all we get is a wreath that gathers dust and eventually dries up and falls apart. But when we run the race of christian living in the athletic contest of Christian living, consider the wreath we win in that race! We will win the wreath of incorruptibility, and for eternity! We Christians are called to live in the present as people who will inherit eternal life in a whole new world.

Our life is completely about glorifying God and preparing for our true destiny, union with the Lord who is our resurrection and life. This is the race we are to run! So today, take time in prayer to ask God for help in running the race he has designated we run! Pray for His grace to run to win, and step away from all sexual sins that drag us into a futile race that rewards us with a wreathe that dries up and disappears forever.

This is what Paul is writing about!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Today’s Prayer

Oh Lord, help us to see in our sexual lives

your invitation to live faithful lives.

We need You to help remain faithful.

Help us to run the race to win,

the race of life to live faithful, generous lives

that care for others as You care for us.

Please forgive us for all our sins,

in the manner in which we for those who sin against us.

Please lead us away from temptation and sin,

so that when our race is finished, we will hear You

welcoming to live forever with You.

And this we pray in Your Holy Name, Jesus Christ,

Our risen Savior and Lord, Amen!