All Souls, Langham Place - 08/15/2004

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.(1 Corinthians 9:25)

Here is a sentence that fills our minds with images from the Olympics - Eric Liddell, Jesse Owens, Fanny Blankers-Koen, Emil Zatopek or Kip Keino. 'Strict training' the Greek word is agonizomai, from which we get the word agony!

The apostle Paul is evidently encouraging his Christian readers to see themselves as people in training - in an altogether bigger arena and for a lasting crown. But how does the Christian disciple train? Check yourself!

- Are you out on the track early?
- Are you meeting with the team?
- Are you obeying your coach? See Christ as the great goal-setter; in fact see him as the goal for the whole of your life.