I beat 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 9:27 NIV)

The statement above written by the Apostle Paul to Corinthian Christ followers has been a source of motivation for me in life.  Of course, in most of our reading and Bible study, we would never consider that Paul, of all people, could possibly be disqualified! Or, could he?

“Disqualified” is a term used in the New International Version to translate a Greek term that literally means “not approved”, or “not standing the test.”  It can also be translated “useless” or “worthless” as it is in Hebrews 6:8 where it describes the fruitless life of a Christ follower.  The unsettling notion created by the use of this term, especially as he uses it in the verse above, is that Paul considered the possibility of a worthless, or useless Christian life affirming the potential in our own lives!

This concern is central to the warning found in Hebrews 12:14-17 where the author commands Christ followers to “make every effort to live in peace with all people and to be holy.”  His basis for this command is taken from the life of Esau, the brother of Jacob and one of the heroes of faith (see Hebrews 11:21).  These two men lived two different lives while still being brothers.  Can you appreciate the implications?  If not, the author makes it clear as he warns Christ followers about missing the grace of God by harboring bitterness, living immorally, or treating the gifts of God as profane.  The point he makes is that it takes real energy and effort to pursue peace and holiness because of the real threats to holiness we face in every day life!

If you are a Christ follower you have no choice in regards to being “in the race” because it is already marked out for us, not only by the people listed in Hebrews 11, but ultimately by Jesus.  The only choice you have as a Christ follower is in “how” you run the race.  Are you going to risk some personal safety and security to live out your faith?  Are you going to give sacrificially, serve others selflessly, bless people continually, and share the gospel unashamedly?  Or are you going to give sparingly, serve others selfishly, bless people conditionally, and share the gospel timidly?

A truth that continues to haunt me as it has for a long time is one that Paul shared with the same Corinthian Christ followers referenced earlier, but in a second letter.  He wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)  It is one thing to consider this truth from the standpoint of defining “bad” as evil, but another to consider from the standpoint of defining it as “base” or “ordinary” more in keeping with its context.  It is not the potential for evil in our lives with which to be most concerned, but the propensity to be satisfied with the ordinary, or worthless.

If I may ask a question of those of us in the race, “Are you in it to win it?”  Are you pursuing peace with all people?  Are you pursuing holiness?  Are you concerned about wasting the life God has given you to the point that you are doing something about it?

Love you all,

tim

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 3:39 pm and is filed under Hebrews 12. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.