August 22, 2004
August 23, 2004
Train To Finish Strong
Read: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. —1 Corinthians 9:27
Bible In One Year: Psalms 113-115; 1 Corinthians 6
Eighty years ago, Eric Liddell electrified the world by capturing an Olympic gold medal in the 400 meters—a race he was not expected to win. Liddell was the favorite at 100 meters, but he had withdrawn from that race after learning the qualifying heats would be on Sunday, a day he observed as one of worship and rest. Instead of lamenting his lost chance in the 100, he spent the next 6 months training for the 400—and set a new Olympic record.
Paul used a sports metaphor to emphasize the Christian's need for spiritual discipline. "Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things" (1 Corinthians 9:25), that is, goes into strict training. "Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." Paul longed to remain faithful to Christ because he wanted to bring the message of salvation to others (vv.19,27).
Throughout Liddell's life, he disciplined himself spiritually each day by spending time in God's Word and in prayer. He remained faithful until he died of a brain tumor in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
Strengthened by the grace and power of God, Eric Liddell ran well and finished strong in the race of life. And so can we. —David McCasland
This must become our daily goal:
To trust in God for grace and strength,
For discipline and self-control. —Sper
In the race of life, it takes discipline to finish strong.