{"id":6892,"date":"2021-12-06T11:02:41","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T17:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theclarion.org\/?p=6892"},"modified":"2021-12-06T11:02:41","modified_gmt":"2021-12-06T17:02:41","slug":"thoughts-from-the-bible-44","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/?p=6892","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts from The Bible"},"content":{"rendered":"

Obtaining The Prize<\/strong>
\nby Terry Broome<\/em><\/p>\n

In 1Cor 9:24-27, Paul alludes to the ancient Grecian games through the image of athletes running in a race, fighting as a boxer, and competing for a prize. He observes that there are principles common to both athletes and Christians. We all are in need of motivation, self-control, and exercise. These are necessary in order to \u201cobtain\u201d the prize.
\nIt\u2019s easy to see the importance of motivation in the life of the athlete if they have any desire to win the race. Different motives can make a difference in a race. Some run to win; others run for their health. In either case, Paul gives us the perspective that Christians should be most aware of: 1Cor 9:25b … \u201cNow they do it to obtain a corruptible crown\u201d (for instance, the gold medal or excellent health); \u201cbut we an incorruptible.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the life of the Christian the proper motivation is likewise necessary to win. Different motives can make a big difference in whether we gain the crown of triumph or not. For instance, some are Christians to please their conscience, or to please others. Some are Christians because of the present blessings (peace of mind, fellowship). Such motives may have their place in the life of the Christian, but ultimately the successful Christian is motivated by what lies at the end of the race: An imperishable crown – 1Cor 9:25c \u201c…but we an incorruptible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul writes of the crown of righteousness, which motivated him: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV) \u201c7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.\u201d
\nWe also read of the incorruptible inheritance that awaits us – 1 Peter 1:3-4 ( KJV ) \u201c3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,\u201d<\/p>\n

2 Peter 3:13-14 (KJV) \u201c13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.\u201d
\nJust as Jesus endured the cross \u201cfor the joy that was set before Him\u201d – Heb. 12:1-2, the Christian needs to see clearly what his or her motive is in running the race of faith. Is it \u201cobtaining the prize\u201d at the end? If so, then we should also take note of the other elements of winning the prize: self-control, and exercise. Successful athletes are \u201ctemperate\u201din all things – 1Cor 9:25a \u201cAnd every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate (self-controlled) in all things.\u201d Plus, there is the need for godly exercise – 1 Timothy 4:8 (KJV) \u201c8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Obtaining The Prize by Terry Broome In 1Cor 9:24-27, Paul alludes to the ancient Grecian games through the image of athletes running in a race, fighting as a boxer, and competing for a prize. He observes that there are principles common to both athletes and Christians. We all are in need of motivation, self-control, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tho"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6892"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6893,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6892\/revisions\/6893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}