The Christian life is likened to a race. Form the time we come to know the lord through salvation in Jesus Christ to the time we go to be with him, we are like the athlete that must continue to train and exercise in other to be fit for the race. The athlete looks forward to obtaining a medal at the end of the race. The Christian on the other hand looks forward to obtaining a crown at the end of his Christian race. In both cases, discipline is required for victory. There are guidelines that athletes must observe in other not to be disqualified from the race. some of these guidelines are: being dressed in the recommended attire, not breaking tracks while one runs, not going ahead of the gun, and proper passing of the baton in the case of a relay race.
Any attempt to break any of these guidelines could lead to disqualification from the race. The Christian life also has guidelines .these are guidelines for believers as well as the church as an institution. Our God is a responsible God-a God of order with whom there is no variableness. If we must run this Christian race to obtain that incorruptible crown at the end of life, (1 Cor 9:25), we must run it according to the guidelines. The guidelines for running the Christian race are contained in the Book of Books, the BIBLE. It is the sole authority upon which the believer must base his life. God the Holy Spirit in whom we live, move and have our total being is the author of the scriptures (ii Tim 3:16) and he is the one that expounds that the scriptures to us by his power that worketh in us. Let us consider some of these guidelines.
PROPER NUTRITION
Every sportsman knows the importance of proper nutrition to the body, preparatory to a race. The right food with the right nutrients and in the right quantity keeps the body in shape. Similarly as a believer the word of God(scriptures) is our spiritual food upon which we must read, meditate upon and listen to in order to keep our spirit, soul and body in proper shape and the guarantee us victory in this life’s walk.(Joshua 1:8).
The word of God is what builds our faith without which we cannot please God (Rom 10:17, Heb.11:6). The word of God enlightens us to know and walk in the truth rather than in error. We should deliberately read the Book to increase our faith level. The proportion of the believer’s faith is dependent on the amount of the word that is in his heart and mind.
COACHING
The athlete must have a coach or trainer who puts him through the rudiments and sees him through the rigors of training. He must continually look up to the coach for advice, direction and instruction. In the Christian race, god is our chief coach. We go to Him in prayer regularly to receive directions and instruction, we take our problems to Him and He solves them (Jer 33:3, Matt 7:7-8). He also has assistant coaches in the persons he has called to operate in the five fold ministry on earth here.
PRACTICE
Practice makes perfect. The athlete must launch out and put into practice what he has learnt from the coach before he can be considered as fit for the race. Theory is not enough. The practical are what show the stuff we are made off. In the same vein, a Christian who has feed on God’s word, sat at the feet of the lord in communion and prayer is expected to put to practice what he has learnt. Faith without works is dead (James 2:20). Every believer is under obligation of the Great commission in matt 28:19-20 to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations….” As we take the first step in this direction, we find that we yearn for another experience and the process brings upon us maturity and makes us more fit for the kingdom of God.
ASSOCIATION
Sportsmen are almost always amongst or in the company of other sportsmen either of their nationality or of a different nationality. What usually binds them together is a genuine love for the sport. In this way, they learn to master new equipments, techniques and enter tournaments. In similar fashion, believers are exhorted not to forsake the assembly of the brethren (Heb 10:25).
Birds of the same feather flock together. When believers with genuine love for Jesus come together, great things happen. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them (Matt 18:20).
In conclusion, we need to be reminded that victory is not an accident. It is worked out. Therefore brethren guard your salvation with fear and trembling for Jesus’ remarks in matt 7:21-23 are startling:
“Not everyone that calls me Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but He that does the will of my father who is in Heaven will enter. many will say unto me on that day, “Lord did we not prophesy in your name and in your name cast out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” and then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness”.
It is my earnest prayer that we should not fall in the category of persons Jesus refers to in the Matt 7:21-23 text.
God bless your soul.
Written by mitnexus
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