Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 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. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 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. 1Corinthians 9-24-27(NLT)
We also must run with purpose in every step beloved. The world gives prizes that rust and fade away in the erosion of time but God's prizes are eternal! Paul also reflected as he faced death about this prize:
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2Timothy 4: 6-8 (NLT)
Oh that we might feel poured out as an offering to God when our time on earth is drawing to an end! Are we fighting the good fight or are we shadowboxing, flailing at the shadows in our lives and the world? Have we remained faithful and will we finish the race? The crown of righteousness is available for all beloved! We need to press on to become Christ like so that we might receive it as well.
The third truth in these verses is that this is a matter of spiritual maturity. Paul clearly states that those that are mature should take this view of things. There is an alarming trend in modern Christendom where we have become very adept at bringing people to the saving grace of Jesus Christ only to watch them crawl as baby Christians, never maturing in Christ. Peter discusses new Christians:
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1Peter 2: 2-3
We have already tasted that the Lord is good and now we need to grow up in our salvation and not be content with just spiritual milk. We need to move on to spiritual meat and eventually God will grow us to the point that we will be fed, by feeding others. That is the plan of discipleship. Pressing on is a sure sign of spiritual maturity in a believer. Paul makes it very clear and says that even if you disagree on some point, God will make it clear to you.
The final truth in the pressing on exhortation is that we
have a tremendous responsibility to Christ in this world. I can almost see Paul
pleading this final line, "Only let us
live up to what we have already attained." You have attained the assurance
of salvation beloved. You are saved and redeemed. You know that you know that
you know. You are living the eternal life here on earth! You have been
reconciled to God almighty and have His spirit living inside of you! Paul's
plea here is that we live up to this. With this great gift comes great
responsibility. There is a lost and dying world that does not know Jesus Christ
and does not have their tomorrow promised to them. They are watching what you
do and looking for any reason to believe or any reason to doubt. What they see
and the decision they reach is up to us. You might be the only witness they
ever get to Christ. You might be their only chance. That is why we are not to
allow our walk to grow cold or to even live lukewarm. Jesus Himself while
addressing the Church at
