“I DON’T FEEL LIKE IT!”

24 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

This blog’s title is the last item on our list of reasons we are not reading our Bibles daily.

Anything of value requires discipline. May it be in the world of sports, business, politics, military, and even in spiritual life. Many of us want to succeed, but are we ready to endure the discipline required to succeed? For us to reach our spiritual goals, we have to pay the price. I know setting up an alarm and actually waking up to it just to read your Bible can be quite demanding. But that is exactly the kind of discipline we need to be transformed by God’s Word.

Consider Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians. In today’s passage, Paul uses an athletic metaphor to explain how he lets go of his liberty in order to win people for Christ. He gave up things he was entitled to, which shows his self-sacrificing efforts to help advance God’s Kingdom.

Using the imagery of an athlete, Paul stresses the hard work and determination of a sportsman to achieve a wreath, a temporary recognition from men that ultimately leads to obscurity. On the other hand, Paul aims to achieve a prize that lasts forever.

Paul disciplined his body and ruled over it. Failing to do so would otherwise disqualify him. The Greek term “adokimos” was originally used for testing metals and coins. It means “not standing the test” or “not approved.” I don’t think Paul means losing his salvation but losing usefulness in the ministry.

In the same way, if we have spiritual goals, we have to work hard to achieve them. Grace does not cost us anything but spiritual maturity requires self-mastery. And the fundamental discipline that leads to Christlikeness is studying our Bibles regularly.

Pursue the Savior today!