"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one
receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain the prize. And
everyone who competes in the games, exercises self-control in all things. They
then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1
Corinthians 9:24-25)
"Paul makes use of the Greek games to illustrate the spiritual race of the believer. They ran to win a "perishable wreath; but we an imperishable" wreath. No young man could contend in the games unless he was a Greek citizen, born of Greek parents. No unsaved person can participate in the services of the Lord for rewards; only the born of God are eligible (John 3:3).
Just as an athlete must deny himself many gratifications of the body, so the believer must say, "I buffet my body and make it my slave" or he will become "disqualified." He will not lose his salvation, but he will lose the "imperishable wreath."
The Greek games had hard and fast rules for all participants. The New Testament contains the rules for believers who would enter the spiritual race to win the "imperishable wreath."
01) The believer must deny self of anything that would weigh him down and hold him back (Hebrews 12:1).
02) The believer must keep his eyes fixed on Jesus, and not look to the right or the left (Hebrews 12:2).
03) The believer must find his strength in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-18).
04) The believer must place his all upon the altar of the Lord (Romans 12:1, 2).
05) The believer must, by faith, refuse anything that would impede spiritual progress (Hebrews 11:24-29).
Do not be a spiritual spectator. Enter the race and run to win the "imperishable wreath."
(From : Bible Foundation Course Lesson 07-03)
