24 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 win. 25 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. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27
Here is a collection of “life verses.” Each verse has a vital take on self-discipline illustrated by aspects of athletic endeavor. Everyone can be an athlete in his or her approach to life without an ounce of athletic ability. I’ve always approached life with the mindset of an athlete, perhaps to manage the modicum of athletic ability (and intellect) bequeathed to me for maximum advantage, but more likely for fear of being “disqualified.”
Run in such a way that you may win. There is an acknowledgement up front that there are many in a race but only one can win. The point Paul is making is, what is important is the process we undertake to glorify God in our life. Indeed there are winners and losers in all contests, but in Christianity, there is indeed a prize available for participation with single-minded maximum effort. Have we left it all in the field, in other words?
Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. There is never an off-season in the Christian walk. Never a time to relax our standards and have a little fun. As in boxing, we can’t let our guard down or else we might suffer a fatal knockout blow. There’s a lot of talk on the eve of a big game with respect to it being a time to “do or die.” Most times the athlete if interviewed pre-game or pre-race will stress the need to stick to the fundamentals. In the Christian life we should know what to do in every situation, even if it requires only prayer. Our task at hand is to flawlessly execute biblical teachings “in all things,” to leave it all on the field.
I run in such a way, as not without aim. Our finish line is obedience, to have discharged the requirements of the faith, which by definition pleases God. He’s only interested in the process by which we run, not our position in the race. Do we finish fourth (meaning without qualification for a medal) after having run flawlessly giving everything we’ve got? He declares us a winner. Our wreath is imperishable awarded at our finish line at the throne of God.
I discipline my body and make it my slave. There are many things you need to give up while you’re in training, and many things you must do. Carousing should be eschewed. Eating unhealthy food. Staying up late. Etc. On the other hand, there are workouts that need to be endured, the need to take in the necessary food to sustain them, and the alteration of the mindset to that of a winner. In essence, the Christian life is lived as if one is always in training, while every one of life’s episodes are competitions. The mindset of a true champion is always fixed on the finish line, and much in life that will keep us from getting there must be recognized and avoided. The supernatural strength and focus to do all this can only be found in the Word. It’s our coach.
I’m reminded of Harold Abrahams, the sprinter who won the 100-meter dash in the 1924 Olympics, a story made famous in the movie Chariots of Fire. He was relentlessly pushed and prodded by his coach just to get him an extra two yards. His single-minded pursuit of victory put him first at the finish line, but the heart exemplified by Abrahams’ rival Eric Liddell, who refused to run on Sunday, is what Paul is describing here, who chose to push through the tape of the 400 meter run without disqualification in God’s eyes.
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