Running to Win (1 Cor 9:24-27)

Today pastor Michael preached from 1 Cor 9:24-27 where the apostle Paul urges believers to "run in such a way that you may win." In other words, take your faith and Christian life seriously. Why? Well as Paul says, those who run earthly races run to hopefully win a "perishable wreath," but believers who run faithfully will receive from the Lord an imperishable crown. Why waste all your energy with worldly pursuits like career, hobbies, and other things that will not last?

These things are not necessarily wrong, but they ought not be our life's focus. As believers in Jesus our focus should be discovering what He has for us to do and then "running" in that direction in the power of His Spirit. When this is one's life goal, one will be blessed not only in this life with the satisfaction knowing one is following Jesus, but also in eternity with an imperishable crown.

One final thought. When runners run a race on the track, they compete against one another (and perhaps the clock). But when beleivers run, they do not compete against each other, but run on the track assigned to them by the Lord. We as believers need to remember to run the race Jesus has given us as individuals...to stay in your lane. Winning for the believer is not "out-performing" a brother or sister in the Lord, but is being faithful to run the race assigned you by the Lord.