TRAINING FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

As a great amount of training is needed for athletic activities, so we must train diligently for the Christian life. Such training takes time, dedication, energy, continued practise, and vision. We must all commit ourselves to the Christian life, but we must first know the rules as prescribed in God’s Word: "Follow the Lord’s rules for doing His work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize" (2 Tim. 2:5). 1. Deny yourself many things in order to do your best. "In a race, everyone runs but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win! To win the contest you must deny yourself many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around. Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside" (1 Cor. 9:24-27). As believers we must train our-selves to run the race of life. So we keep our eyes on Christ - the Goal - and don’t get sidetracked or slowed down. When we do this, we will win a reward in Christ’s Kingdom. 2. Put all your energies toward winning the race. "No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us" (Philippians 3:13,14). Living the Christian life demands all of our energy. We should forget the past and strain for the Goal, because we know Christ promises us eternity with Him at the end of the race. 3. Fighting long and hard without giving up. "I have fought long and hard for my Lord, and through it all I have kept true to Him...In heaven a crown is waiting for me which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of His return. And not just to me, but to all those whose lives show that they are eagerly looking forward to His coming back again" (2 Tim. 4:7,8). The Christian life is a fight against evil forces from without and temptation from within. If we stay true to God through it all, He promises an end, a rest, and a crown. 4. Spiritual exercise will help you grow in faith and character. "Don’t waste time arguing over foolish ideas and silly myths and legends. Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important... So exercise yourself spiritually and practise being a better Christian, because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too. This is the truth and everyone should accept it. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe it, for our hope is in the living God Who died for all, and particularly for those who have accepted His salvation" (1 Tim. 4:7-10). As we must repeat exercises to tone our bodies, so we must steadily repeat spiritual exercises to be spiritually fit. When we do this, we will be better Christians, living in accordance with God's will. Such a life will attract others to Christ and pay dividends in this present life and the next. [Life Application Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, 1971].