Introduction: While we are saved by “grace alone” thru “faith alone” in “Christ alone”, this does not mean after conversion that we are to sit and do nothing. Instead, the CHRISTian life includes submitting to the Word of God, and obeying the Spirit of God while fleshing out the Will of God. While comparing the Christian to an Olympic athlete, Paul explains this process to believers.

1. The first step for an athlete/ Christian is to get in the race! (1Cor 9:24) – “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

In order to run in the race one has to enter into the race at the starting line. Have you entered? As stated, once at the starting line (thru New Birth), the goal is to run to win…..to finish faithful.

2. Once in the race, the athlete/ Christian is disciplined to win a crown (gold medal)! (1Cor 9:25) – “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

The word”striveth” is ἀγωνίζομαι: (ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee), and it means to contend for a prize, or to put forth a struggle.
In other words, both to earn a gold medal or to obtain a “Crown of Life” will be a struggle! But thru the power of the Holy Spirit it is achievable.

3. All the hard work and discipline helps keep the athlete from quitting or being disqualified! (1Cor 9:26,27) – “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

By bringing our physical bodies into subjection (submission), enables the Holy Spirit to empower us to be faithful and not become a reject. That is what “cast away” means.