The way of God vs the way of self:
Php 3:13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Php 3:14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
1Co 9:24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
1Co 9:25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
1Co 9:26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
1Co 9:27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
In addition to the above verses, which should be of great importance to anyone who desires to run a good Christian race, I want to introduce one character type from the book of Proverbs and then say a few words about a pdf I have linked below that has provided me with much encouragement on numerous occasions, including this past week.
Over the years, I have come to an awareness that the first steps in dealing with a problem are identifying it and understanding as much as possible about it so as to devise strategies to overcome it, pray specifically about it…. My Bible study has caused me to become aware of many things that have been difficult to accept and I want to briefly discuss one today because it seems that it is very common; at least it was with Israel, and it seems that I have all the problems that Israel had, maybe you do too?
In my ESV study Bible, the introduction to Proverbs notes 3 character types that are portrayed in the book: the Wise, the Simple and the Fool. As I have studied the book and reread introductions from various commentaries…I have come to understand that the character portrayal of the Simple person describes me. From the ESV: “The Simple is the person who is not firmly committed, either to wisdom or to folly; he is easily misled (cf. 14:15). His trouble is that he does not apply himself to the discipline needed to gain and grow in wisdom.”
Furthermore, I heard Dr. John MacArthur make the point that many Christians go astray before they begin their race because they lack commitment (The Pillars of Christian Character, series).
Self-observation in my walk has revealed to me again and again that I lack firm commitment; or that I lack consistency in my commitment. This may be what all pilgrims experience on the way to learning wisdom (and to deny oneself, pick up his cross and follow Christ). I am sure that I have been given understanding from scripture via illumination from God the Holy Spirit to grasp what I have about this problem. And as I walk, more idolatry, worldly thinking…is revealed to me. I have found that there are certain sins, apparently besetting sins, that if I enter into temptation with them I fall because I don’t want to seek God’s grace to resist, but I want to partake. That must be why this variety of sin is called besetting
Furthermore, as I focus on Psalm 119, I am seeing that the psalmist’s words reveal a struggle that includes many failures, self-discoveries, pleadings for God’s guidance and sustaining hand, gratitude for afflictions that instruct…and verse 176 indicates that he has gone astray again. It may be that the entire Christian walk / race is a process wherein one is shown all that needs thrown off while learning to trust only in Christ; a process that is completed by God at one’s glorification.
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Well, the throwing off of sin is no little thing, as I am finding. The comments I have linked are from the Expositor’s Bible Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27. This write up is possibly the most wonderful I have ever come across. It is from the free Bible software, Esword.
The writer gives 3 points to aid pilgrims in running the good race and his comments indicate that he has learned much from his own walk. I recommend reading the 3rd point first, then starting at the beginning and reading the entire piece.
It will give you plenty to consider when you make self-observations; also, his assessment of the apostle Paul’s walk may provide you with necessary insights applicable to your own walk. That is my prayer.
Recommendations:
Dvd: Remember the Goal A story of a girl’s cross country track team wherein many points about the Christian race are made.
Book: The Pilgrim’s Progress John Bunyan’s classic portrays the Christian walk extremely well, revealing many unprofitable side roads, diversions, pitfalls… that Christian’s typically encounter.