Run to win

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (KJV) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

When Temitayo started preparing for the championship in tennis, she knew she now had to become temperate in her eating, sleeping, watching movies, etc.

She was told by her instructor that she could no longer eat anything but had to only eat things that maximize energy output. Her life became greatly streamlined because of this championship.

Temitayo made the sacrifices she made because she wanted to win the tennis championship.

We are also in a championship, but this is for an infinitely more valuable incorruptible prize. The devil and his hordes of demons are our contenders that can’t win the prize, but they want to hinder us. The only human beings that can overcome them are those who believe in the Lord Jesus (see 1 John 5:5).

We must maintain a champion’s mindset of self-control. We must not let the flesh hinder us. We must always put the flesh under the will of our renewed minds. This is the only way to appropriate our victory over our contenders.

Go into today remembering that the prize you have to win is the reward for faithfully doing the work cut out for you by God. This reward, among other things, will translate to your place of glory and authority in God’s eternal kingdom that would never end. Not everyone in the kingdom will receive a reward, some will suffer loss (see 1 Cor 3:15).

Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you run in such a way that you would receive your reward (1 Cor 9:24).
— Abraham Damilola Arigi

Yearly Bible: Hebrews 11-13