1 Corinthians 9:24-27 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

“24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. 26Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. 27No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

And that reminds me of this:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3 BSB)

A Spiritual Race

In both cases this is speaking of a spiritual race, not a physical race. For to be a Christian is to be a follower of Christ. And to be a follower of Christ is to walk (in conduct, in practice) in the ways of the Lord, in holiness and in righteousness, and no longer as slaves to sin. Our salvation from sin and eternal life with God are conditional upon us keeping the faith, running the race, and obeying our Lord and His commands in life practice, although not necessarily in absolute perfection. And this is NOT “works salvation.”

So, if we “run in such a way as to take the prize,” this is speaking of our daily walks of faith in obedience to the Lord. Are we living for the Lord? Are we obeying His commands as a matter of life practice? Or are we living for the flesh, for sinful desires, refusing His commands? Is Jesus truly Lord (Owner-Master) of our lives? Or are we the ones still in charge of our own lives, doing what we will, and not what God wills? Do we worship our Lord only one day a week for a few minutes? Or is our worship daily?

And by worship I do not mean singing worship songs only. We can sing worship songs to our hearts’ content and never truly worship God. For to worship God is to love God. And to love God is to obey His New Covenant commands, to go where He sends us and to do what He calls us to do. For Jesus Christ gave His life up for us on that cross to buy us back for God (to redeem us) out of our lives of slavery to sin so we will now be servants of our Lord in doing what His will and purpose is for our lives on this earth.

In a Similar Manner

Therefore, in a similar manner in which runners get themselves ready to run the race, we, too, must discipline our hearts and minds and actions to be in line with God and with the counsel of His Word. We must learn to say “NO!” to what displeases God and to all that He commands that we must NOT do. Sin must no longer be our practice, but now obedience to our Lord and to His commands is to be our daily practice. And we must be those who say “YES!” to God daily in doing what all He directs us in how we must live.

But what if we miss a step sometime? What if we fail to be all who God requires us to be every minute of every day? The Scriptures do teach that we might sin (1 John 2:1-2), but that God’s grace covers our sin. BUT.. the Scriptures also teach that if sin is our habit, our practice, and not obedience to God and to His commands, that we do not know God, we do not love God, and that we will not have eternal life with God. And that is what Paul is making reference to here when he mentions possibly being disqualified.

Again, this is not “works salvation.” This is not about someone, in the flesh, of their own doing, and not of God, trying to earn their way into heaven via “good deeds.” This is speaking of those who, by God-persuaded and God-gifted faith in the Lord Jesus, in the power of God, are doing what God requires of us who call Him “Lord,” because we love Him and we want to do what pleases our Lord. And He teaches us that not everyone calling Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the ones DOING God’s will.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

Running The Race
An Original Work / September 8, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

As the Deer

By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You

[A Prayer of Devotion to God Alone]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZv3jzOTE70

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