Vv. 24,25 In order for athletes to get the prize, they must endure and be self-disciplined in everything. Paul encourages Christians, like athletes, to be self-disciplined and run after the prize that God will give. If athletes go into strict training to achieve momentary glory and a temporary prize of the world, we as Christians, must go into a more strict training to get an everlasting and permanent crown. Otherwise, aren¡¯t we proving that glory of the gospel is inferior to the (less valuable) glory of the world?
V. 26 Paul did not run like a man running aimlessly. He ran with a focus on his goals, which was to live for the gospel and to look forward to the heavenly prize. No matter how fervently a runner runs, if he has the wrong goal in mind, he¡¯ll never get to the goal. To which goal are you running fervently? Do you have a clear goal and direction?
What lesson is God teaching me? Vv. 19-23 Although Paul was free and belonged to no man, he made himself a slave to share the gospel more effectively. Sometimes like a Jew, sometimes like a gentile, and other times like a weak person, he became one with them and preached the good news by making compromises and concessions. Although Jesus was the strongest, he became a friend of the weak to spread the gospel to them (Mk 10:45). Paul followed this example to spread the gospel. What area of my life needs to be changed in order to preach the good news? Do you have any areas that need to be lowered or compromised?
Help me to go into strict training of serving so that I can shine the light of the gospel at every moment. öÀúÇÏ°Ô ÀýÁ¦¿Í ¼¶±èÀÇ »îÀ» ÈÆ·Ã¹Þ¾Æ ¸Å¼ø°£ º¹À½ÀÇ ºûÀ» µå·¯³»°Ô ÇϼҼ.