The 2016 edition of the Summer Olympics drew to a close Sunday.  For me, these games were some of the most entertaining in memory.  The accomplishments of Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky in the pool, Simone Biles on the mat, and Usain Bolt on the track amazed us.  The U.S. Men’s and Women’s basketball team not surprisingly dominated their competitions.  At the end of the games, the U.S. led all countries in gold medal and total medal count.  Unfortunately the games also provided some unnecessary and embarrassing off-site moments, but the accomplishments far outweigh the ridiculous.

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The Olympic athletes did not just show up and compete; they trained for years preparing for these 16 days.  They deprived themselves, pushed themselves, and extended themselves in trying to prove themselves best in the world.  Each one had a goal of winning a gold medal in their field of competition. 

Conversely, what would happen if we applied the same effort to our Christian life?  How different would our lives look if we worked at our faith likes these athletes worked at their sport?  Is it possible for us to “win” a gold medal in the Christian life? I think the Bible indicates we can.  Look with me at 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Training for A Gold Medal Life

The context for Paul’s teaching in these verses was The Isthmus Games, the forerunner to today’s Olympic Games.  These games did not feature athletes from all over, but rather only allowed Greek citizens to take part.  Athletes participated in a number of events and the judges awarded winners with crowns made from laurel branches.

With these games in mind, Paul describes three qualities that lead to a gold medal Christian life.

Gold Medal Christians live with intentionality.

In verse 25, Paul teaches that athletes exercise self-control in all things.  The elite athlete recognizes that greatness comes at a price.  An athlete who desires to win the prize does not just show up and compete.  Instead, the excellent athlete invests months, even years, of hard work to prepare to win.  The successful athlete denies themselves those things that hinder their growth while intentionally engaging those things that promote their growth.

Godliness does not happen by accident.  We do not grow spiritually without effort. Paul challenged Timothy to “train yourself for godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)  Growing in our faith requires effort on our part.  God’s graces motivates, enables, and ultimately produces growth in us, but the process begins with our willingness to try.  Like an elite athlete, the growing Christian intentionally avoids things harmful to their walk and seeks things that promote godliness.  Bible reading, prayer, fasting, and such disciplines as these become standard activity.  The Christian will avoid tempting situations and circumstances, and watch for signs of self-indulgence and self-centeredness.

You will grow as close to the Lord as you intend and train to grow.

Gold Medal Christians live with purpose.

Paul pointed out that the athletes competed to win a perishable prize, but we an imperishable one.  The athlete learns to “keep his eyes on the prize.” When tempted to slack off from training or take short-cuts, the athlete remembers the reason for his endeavor.  They endure all of that training for a prize that will eventually decompose and fade away.

Christians live for a higher and eternally durable prize – receiving an imperishable crown from Jesus.  We live with purpose; we do not run aimlessly.  The growing Christian endures a disciplined lifestyle while looking forward to the day of receiving rewards from Jesus.  The nominal Christian lives for self-gratification.  The gold medal Christian lives for the purpose of pleasing the greatest judge: Jesus.

You will grow close to the Lord when you make pleasing Him your life’s aim.

Gold Medal Christians live with self-discipline.

Paul uses a boxing metaphor to punch home the truth about self-discipline. “I discipline my body,” literally means “I give my body a punch under the eye.”  Paul recognizes that the flesh and blood physical side of our existence often hinder the growth of our spiritual side. The athlete has to ignore the physical desire of the body to stop training or give in to cravings. Therefore, an athlete exercises self-discipline to stay on task and moving toward the goal.

The growing Christian develops the habit of feeding the spirit while depriving the flesh. The flesh tempts us to sin or divert from the goal of pleasing the Lord.  The flesh tempts us to satisfy ourselves.  A growing Christian exercise control and discipline so that over time the flesh becomes the slave of the spirit.  Spiritual disciplines such as fasting help us to overcome the flesh’s dominance of our will.  Rising early to pray and read our Bible’s trains our bodies to recognize the priority of our spiritual needs.  Just as the athlete experiences no gain without pain, so also we experience no spiritual growth through satisfying the flesh.

You will grow close to the Lord when you discipline yourself to meet spiritual needs before physical needs.

Too many believers today are content sitting on the sidelines or running in the middle of the pack.  Today, I challenge you to get in the game and go for the gold!  Run to win!!!!!