Good morning to you! TODAY IN THE WORD Saturday, June 29, 2013 Self-Control: For the Purpose of Calling Read 1 Corinthians 9:24–10:13  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32 Paul uses the analogy of physical competition to emphasise the need for self-control in the Christian life. He’s taken obvious inspiration from the Isthmian Games, an athletic festival held in Corinth every two years. For those who set out to win their race, Paul noted that they endured stricter training. For foot races, this would probably include the regimen of logging endurance miles, performing speed and agility exercises, eating healthy food, and getting enough sleep. It’s a competitive spirit that drives their physically punishing rituals: they want to win the crown, which in the case of the Isthmian Games was a victory wreath made out of withered celery. If this token of victory meant so much for the athletes in the Isthmian Games, imagine what it means for us as Christians to receive a crown that will last forever! Self-control is always hard in the moment: it’s never easy to say no to a momentary pleasure for a future gain. But athletes do this all the time, forsaking the pleasures of junk food and lazy days on the couch so that they can be in shape to win their race. Christians can be equally self controlled for the sake of their calling. Paul describes his commitment to strict training as a preacher of Christ, and he’s unwilling to disqualify himself. Apply the Word Sometimes our Christian life centers around the question, “Can I do this or that?” We want to know whether our actions are permissible (and we like to push the boundaries as far as we can)! But our readings on self-control have taught us that we shouldn’t simply ask, “Can I do this?” but “Is this beneficial?” and “Will this help me in my calling? Have a blessed day exercising self control for your calling!
Posted on: Sat, 29 Jun 2013 10:55:07 +0000
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