Let’s zoom in on four verses in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

For context, these verses come from a part of the book where Paul is writing to the Corinthian Church about rights: the right to eat meat sacrificed to idols (some Corinthians were eating “defiled food” without concern for the conscience of “weaker” believers) and Paul’s rights as an apostle (like being supported by the church he’s serving).

TL;DR: Jesus makes us free, but ensure that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak — better to lay down our rights to be blameless and more effective for the Gospel.

Distilled even further, this means we are free to do what we want (it’s between us and God) but we should be willing to give up our rights and use our freedom for the sake of the Gospel. 

… if you want to pass the test — if you want to win — you will need self-discipline.

Now, how does this really relate to us today? Paul is talking about life and faith – you have this window of time in which you can do anything you want. You even have a right to some of these things.

But how are you using those rights? How are you living? Will your life count in the light of eternity? If you want to obtain the right answers to these questions, if you want to pass the test — if you want to win — you will need self-discipline.

Run like a winner

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Paul uses the metaphor of a race because his audience would be familiar with the Olympics, which had foot races. But what is the prize?

Some see it as eternal life, the reward for faithful Christians. Others see it as a crown of righteousness — eternal riches in heaven. Others still, see it as the salvation of others. Paul probably viewed believers like the Corinthians in this way, who would have been the “prize” of his ministry and sufferings.

Whatever your view is, we can call it an eternal reward of faith.

We are all running the same race — but how many of us will win prizes that actually matter in life and faith? How much of what we do in this life will count for eternity? How many among us will go the distance and finish the race?

Think about that, and weigh up just a few more questions:

• Does eternal life matter to you?
• Do eternal rewards matter to you?
• Does the salvation of others matter to you? 

If you answer “yes” – run that you may obtain it. Live in a way that lets us become winners.

You have to train, you have to compete, you have to keep showing up, you have to be self-disciplined and self-controlled and you have to put in the work.

What does “prize” mean to you? Does your life right now look like it’s going to achieve that?

Self-control in all things

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

What does this first part mean? If you are serious about the faith, you will exercise self-control in all things. Not just the obvious stuff.

Going on from the context of this chapter, an athlete must also refuse things that may be fine in and of themselves, but will hinder the pursuit of an eternal reward.

What are some of these grey areas or neutral things that you might have to say no to?

If you are an athlete, you must examine every area of your life to see whether there is anything that will hinder you from obtaining the prize. You will identify areas in which you may be tempted to lose control, to trip up, and then you will make a choice there that involves self-control or self-discipline.

Bottom line, if you are serious about the race, self-control shows up in your life. That’s why it’s a fruit of the Spirit. If the Holy Spirit is moving in your life, you can tell because you will make choices and take actions to help yourself cross the finish line as a winner.

There will be certain things in life that we refuse. It’s about making choices to help you win, and to go the distance.

What is the main area of your life today that requires self-control? What can you do?

If you are not even thinking about self-control – the question is are you even an athlete? What kind of race are you running?

Athletes say no to certain things to win a perishable wreath, a worldly reward. As Jesus’ disciples, we’re in the game of our lives, and if we’re playing for the highest trophies – it will show up in our choices.

If we want to win an eternal prize – we have to look at our lives holistically and see where self-control is required.

Aim for Kingdom impact

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

What comes to mind when you think of “running aimlessly”?

Go here go there, end up nowhere. Anyhow run. Never start properly, never run properly, run wrong lane, run backwards, run on the spot – don’t even know where the finish line is. Like that how to win? How to even finish?

It is easier to run aimlessly in church and life, than it is to run with purpose and power. We need to make sure we are aligned with God and running His race.

And what’s “beating the air”? It’s shadow boxing. Try it for yourself. There’s a lot of activity. It looks correct. it can even take a lot of effort – but it leaves no impact.

We go through life being conditioned to do the “correct” things. We do so much. But before we go on to the next thing, we should examine: are we running aimlessly? What is my direction in life? Where is this headed? What am I investing my time and effort in?

If we don’t have concrete answers, then we are living an aimless life. If we have answers that are not aligned to what God wants, we are going to disqualify ourselves from the race.

If you just go through the motions, you will live a hollow life that may look good but actually leaves no impact and reaps no eternal rewards. You are not going to to win the prize that way.

Strike a blow to the flesh

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Bible scholars tell us that the ancient Greek word means “to strike under the eye; to give a black eye.”

We must be utterly ruthless about making sure the body is the servant, and our inner man the master. If we don’t do so, the desires of our body will rule over us. And there are many that threaten to do so like food, money and lust.

That is why self-discipline is so very important for those of us who preach the Word of God. We want to be the last one who would fumble this and miss out on the eternal prize.

And make no mistake, we are at war with the flesh.

Read this verse in Proverbs 25:28: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”

Just as a life without self-discipline leaves us vulnerable, a life that is marked by the spiritual fruit of self-control becomes a fortress with mighty walls.

If you desire self-discipline — if you desire to win — then would you make this prayer with us today?

Holy Spirit, I invite You to grow within me the fruit of self-control. I desire to lead a life that wins eternal rewards for the glory of God. I ask, that my days would leave an impact for the Kingdom.

So, use me as You desire. Train my body and steel my mind for Your purposes. Give me wisdom to know what I must say no to, and strength to take up my cross.

For all my days, I am fully Yours.

In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen.