Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 1 Corinthians 9 and Psalm 119:33-48

The Olympic Games is the most famous of all the ancient athletic competitions, but Corinth was the centre for the “Isthmian Games”, which was second in prestige only to the ancient Olympics. It is these games Paul had in mind as an illustration when he wrote to the Corinthian Christians about the need for a disciplined approach to the spiritual life of the Kingdom:

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.

The message is simple: Athletes competing in sporting competitions like the Olympics have to be absolutely single-minded in their pursuit of their goals. They have to aim for victory from the very start of their training regime, discipline their bodies to train with that aim in mind, and sacrifice many things in their preparation. When their event arrives, they have to pour 100% of themselves into competing or they will stand no chance at all of winning. That is how we are to approach life as disciples of Jesus.

We are called to pursue Christlikeness and the will of God in all things, with that same single-minded dedication. We are to be intentional, disciplined and willing to make many sacrifices; for the prize we’re pursuing is not a fleeting, temporary one, it is of eternal value.

Life Application: How committed and disciplined have I been lately to my pursuit of Christ, Christlikeness and the Kingdom of Christ lately? Is it time for a gear change? What do I need to change?