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 practice and vision. We must all commit ourselves to the Christian life, but we must first know the rules as prescribed in God's Word.

"Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

I encourage you to open your Bible and find these verses:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27:
Metaphor: RACE
Training: Go into strict training in order to get the prize.
Goal: We train ourselves 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.

Philippians 3:13-14:
Metaphor: RACE
Training: Focus all your energies toward winning the race.
Goal: Living the Christian life demands all of our energy. We can forget the past and strain for the goal because we know Christ promises eternity with him at the race's end.

1 Timothy 4:7-10:
Metaphor: EXERCISE
Training: Spiritual exercise will help you grow in faith and character.
Goal: 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 toned Christians, living in accordance with God's will.

2 Timothy 4:7-8:
Metaphor: FIGHT, RACE
Training: Fighting the good fight and persevering to the end.
Goal: 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!

Sometimes, trying to live a perfect Christian life can be so difficult that it leaves us drained and discouraged. We may feel so far from perfect that we can never please God with our lives. Paul used perfect (2 Timothy 3:12) to mean mature or complete, not flawless in every detail. Those who are mature should press on in the Holy Spirit's power, knowing that christ will reveal and fill in any discrepancies between what we are and what we should be. There is no excuse for a lagging devotion, and Christ provides relief and assurance for those who feel driven.