Strict Training

1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV84)

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.

Good morning Zebras,

Continuing on with the theme of obedience, here are some thoughts from the book, Manners and Customs of the Bible

”Every competitor in these games was obliged to undergo a severe and protracted training, sometimes lasting nearly a year. During this time he carefully avoided excesses of every kind. A passage from Epictetus, the Greek Stoic Philosopher, illustrates this text so well that it is cited by most commentators: “Would you be a victor in the Olympic games? So in good truth would I, for it is a glorious thing; but pray consider what must go before, and what may follow, and so proceed to the attempt. You must then live by rule, eat what will be disagreeable, refrain from delicacies; you must oblige yourself to constant exercises at the appointed hour, in heat and cold; you must abstain from wine and cold liquors; in a word, you must be as submissive to all direction of your master as to those of a physician.” Thus Paul says in out text-verse, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.”

Paul goes on to write: “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, 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.”

Since Paul knew he wouldn’t be disqualified for heaven have you ever wondered what the prize was?  Could it be the joy that comes from knowing and obeying Christ, the promise of hearing “Well done good and faithful servant.” at the end of his life, or the privilege of being used by God in the here and now?

Whatever it was it was enough for Paul to count everything else a loss.

Love,
Jill