1 Cor 9:26a

1 Cor 9:26a Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly;

Million dollar question: Do you run like you’re running aimlessly? Why would you run aimlessly? Because you have no idea where the goal is. I would go even as far to say that you think you know where your goal is. So according to verse 24-25, which prize are you going for? The crown that will last or wont last? God or the worldly things? Pick one and “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” It shouldn’t be both. You should be either hot or cold, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” Rev 3:16 You can’t have both, as Jesus says “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money (the world)” Matt 6:24

For the runners running towards the crown that lasts forever (heaven): When we run, our minds, our eyes and all of our efforts (running means you give it your all. If you don’t give it your all, you’re jogging or walking) on the goal. Where is our goal? “Heb 12:2a Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” Jesus is the goal. So if we know our goal and our destination, how do we get there? Jesus tells us that “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6 so the obvious idea is to live by His word and his teachings. Simply put, the Word is our guider. 2nd Tim 3:16 says “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Do you submit to God’s words? Or more importantly, do you read God’s word in a way to change your life? To change your week?

In reference to following to Jesus’ example, Phil 2:6-7

6)Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, (did not refer to his rights; selfless) 7) But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. (Became a servant)

He became a selfless servant. Apply it.

1 Cor 9:25b

1 cor 9:25b They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
It gives you two choices, one that runs for a crown that does last and one that doesn’t.
Which one do you run for?
Rewards that don’t last are things of the world (1 pe 1:24-25
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever.”)
The rewards that do last are the things in heaven (where moths and rust don’t destroy or thieves steal Matt 6:20)
How do we get rewards?
-Doing things in secret. (notes in matt 6= The secrecy in v4, 6, 18, is the idea that we do it selflessly. Why would you do anything not secretly? to gain something in return, whether it be physical resources or praise from others. True selflessness is doing things not to gain anything; “giving” in resources and your body (fasting without looking weary)…
-Persevering through trials (James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him)

Character of the day: Selflessness…

(this is a train of thought that I had. I had to go to school before i finished it. Something to the likes of “if you had to train for a marathon, why would you buy shoes that would wear out easily? In the same case, if you’re planning on going for a prize that is eternal, why would you use something that won’t last? The only thing that’s eternal is 1 pe 1:25, word of the Lord stands forever, which is useful for training!! 2 tim 3:16)

Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourself.