Work And Dedication

[Lovekr07]

Work And Dedication



'Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 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 forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.' (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1CO.9.24-27


Many things in life that are worth attaining require a great deal of work and dedication. It is not that we are out to compete with others like in a race just to win, rather we work for the reward. If we are dedicated to the process and we work hard without giving up, we will be rewarded. It takes a lot of self-discipline to accomplish great things.

Spiritually speaking, if we work on ourselves and our relationship with the Lord every day, we will one day reap a harvest. Growing in our relationship with the Lord and becoming more like Him, will never leave us disappointed. It takes daily commitment to godly habits and spending time with the Lord while putting our flesh natures to death by walking by the Spirit. As a reward, we will have peace and intimacy with God, better relationships with others, an eternity in Heaven, win others for the Kingdom, and we will lived a blessed life here. A life and eternity with God is THE greatest reward one can obtain!!

 

[Hidden In Him]

It takes daily commitment to godly habits and spending time with the Lord while putting our flesh natures to death by walking by the Spirit.

Well put. According to both the context of 1st Corinthians and ancient Christian commentators on this passage, Paul was actually here talking about fasting when he talked about "striking a blow to his body." Earlier in the letter he went on at length about how many Corinthians were getting seduced by bad doctrine into eating meats sacrificed to demonic idols, and that it was a lack of bodily discipline to lead other believers into emulating you in doing it if their conscience was weak and they might later become convicted that they had betrayed the Lord and sinned against God.

Fasting isn't taught much nowadays, and neither are passages like this, maybe because meat is so readily sold at the grocery stores instead of primarily being found in pagan temples. But the flesh still leads us into sin, while fasting crucifies it and brings the Spirit into greater ascendency.

Here's hoping I can get back to some soon, because I always love how I feel when I'm fasting.

 

[Lovekr07]

Well put. According to both the context of 1st Corinthians and ancient Christian commentators on this passage, Paul was actually here talking about fasting when he talked about "striking a blow to his body." Earlier in the letter he went on at length about how many Corinthians were getting seduced by bad doctrine into eating meats sacrificed to demonic idols, and that it was a lack of bodily discipline to lead other believers into emulating you in doing it if their conscience was weak and they might later become convicted that they had betrayed the Lord and sinned against God.

Fasting isn't taught much nowadays, and neither are passages like this, maybe because meat is so readily sold at the grocery stores instead of primarily being found in pagan temples. But the flesh still leads us into sin, while fasting crucifies it and brings the Spirit into greater ascendency.

Here's hoping I can get back to some soon, because I always love how I feel when I'm fasting.

I am due for another fast as well. I was actually just thinking about that today, so this may be my confirmation