“Excercise Self-discipline In Order To Win The Eternal Prize!”

“Excercise Self-discipline In Order To Win The Eternal Prize!”
The fox was a town-crier in the animal kingdom. He was asked to go round and announce the date fixed for the king’s farm work. He went about announcing: “The king’s farm work has been scheduled for x date. Attendance is compulsory for all animals, but as I’m saying this I won’t be there!” Others thought it was a bad joke, but true to his words he did not go for the work.
As you travel around the country and continent it is easy to locate worship places through signboards (signposts). The signpost directs people to a place of worship but cannot find itself inside a worship place.
It is a heavy burden upon us who preach Christ and the beauty of heaven; telling others what to do to gain eternity. It is a burden because when we reflect deeply we may develop cold feet as we ponder whether we would make it.
Paul gives us his example which is helpful to all of us. He writes, “…I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it a slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” Earlier on he stated, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
Few people may enter competitions for fun, but the majority enter with the goal of winning. So it is with the Christian race. We enter “to get a crown that will last forever” (I Cor.9:22-27).
The will to win must be complemented by adequate preparation and this requires discipline.
Like Paul I have come to realize that I must with rigour serve the Lord and battle against sin, because if I fail in this, I may be excluded from the reward.
Yes my friend, in this Christian race it is important to strive daily to discipline the body, which now belongs to Christ.
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me daily to be self-disciplined so that I won’t be disqualified for the prize. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!