1 Corinthians 9:24-25 – “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.”
The first of the five crowns available to Believers is the imperishable crown.
Paul uses the athletic example of a foot race in his days. Everyone who enters the race enters with the concept of winning. There was no other reason a person would come and complete – except to win. However, the one who would win the race was the one who spent time daily exercising control in all areas of their life. Physical and mental. They would run to train. They would watch their diets. They would often carry a heavy load to train – so that when they ran without it they would perform so much better. They would mentally prepare themselves. They would picture that they were winning the race. They would concentrate on the turns and other aspects of the race. They would know the rules and procedures.
They would also deny themselves much of the worldly pleasures of the day so that they would not be hindered before the day of the race. And thus, the winner of the race received the crown because they had shown self-denial and perseverance.
Paul wants us to do the same in our race of the Christian life. We must prepare physically, mentally, and SPIRITUALLY if we wish to receive the crown from Jesus. He reminds us that the Olympic athletics denied and persevered for a crown of leaves that would soon wilt and die. But, the crown for denying the world and persevering in our walk with Christ will last for all eternity. And, every Believer has the right to earn this reward from God.
SO, today, take stock of your life. Are you eligible to receive this crown? If not, what hinders you? What can you do to make it different? What’s stopping you?
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