The apostle Paul encourages Christ-followers to discipline themselves so they can live a life pleasing to God.
I Corinthians 9:25 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. (NIV)
When athletes want to run in the Boston Marathon or the Olympics, they must first prepare themselves with a proper diet, building their endurance . . . strengthening themselves. They cannot live like people who don’t want to compete. If you want to compete and run a world-class race — you have to sacrifice and do hard things you don’t feel like doing! The same is true of the spiritual side of your life.
Living a life of impact for Christ requires self-control. For starters, you completely avoid all known sin. Period. Other aspects of self-control are more subtle and require more effort to identify. For example, things you enjoy doing that are innocent, but for someone else that activity could lead them to sin. Christ-followers must discipline themselves to be willing to — sometimes — give up good things for the sake of others. That kind of sacrifice will someday be rewarded with a crown that will last forever!
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™