1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Verse 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. Verse 26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; Verse 27but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.
Devotion
Matt is on his High School swimming team. The team practices are tough. The guys lift weights and swim for two and one-half hours six days a week. Two team members quit this week. They couldn’t handle the rigor, but Matt has his eye on the team and a school letter.
Paul uses athletic metaphors to show the importance of self-discipline out of consideration for others and his own salvation. Paul also knows his goal. As Yogi Berra said: “If you don’t know where you are going you might wind up someplace else.”
The wreath is the sign of victory, albeit perishable, in a way similar to Matt’s letter. It is not so with our victory. Jesus has gone before us and endured the cross for us so that we will receive an imperishable victory, eternal life. Praise be to God!
Prayer
Gracious God, help us keep the disciplines for our spiritual life: Bible reading, prayer, study and worship, so that we do not live aimlessly. Amen.