Aiming For A Crown That Lasts Forever

Text: 1 Corinthians 9:24-28 (New International Version)

"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."

Thoughts: Every athlete aims to get the prize. Just this November,  Filipinos were very proud because boxer and Congressman Manny Pacquiao won the fight with Margarito and because of that he got the "Eight Weight Division World Title." Something to be proud of.

In this world, there are many prizes, awards  or crowns that people are really aiming for. I read at Nobelprize.org that: "Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma, and a cash award." Nobel prize is a very prestigious award and i believe if u  would receive this kind of award, u would really feel  good and  very special. I salute every person who has already received this award.

I believe there's nothing wrong with aiming for awards or  getting a prize because God wants us to be the head and not the tail. God wants us to be successful but there's wrong when we start to forget the source of every success. Deuteronomy 8:16-18 say " You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”  But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today." 

And our highest aim should be, to get the crown that lasts forever.I like what Paul said  in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 " For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Like Paul, let's aim for a crown that lasts forever.

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