How to finish Well

 Read 1 Corinthians 9.

For several chapters, the Apostle Paul addressed the issue of personal liberties and rights.  Each time the one who is stronger, more experienced, or more mature in the faith is to limit their freedoms for the sake of the weaker believer.  The reasons we would do that is so not to offend or put an obstacle in the path of the other person's walk with Christ.  We have a responsibility to protect our personal testimony and our example of being a true believer in Jesus.

Therefore, according to 8:12-13, we must be considerate in all things that we do.  Otherwise, we may actually sin against another person.

Paul wrote of even limiting his rights as an Apostle.  The case in point here is his right to financial support from the ministry.  He cited multiple examples of how natural and Biblical it is for the minister to be paid for his services.  But, in this instance, "I have made no use of any of these rights." (v.15a) 

Why would a person voluntarily reel in their freedoms and rights like this?  The answer lies in a person's understanding and commitment to why they are here on earth.  A temporal minded person lives to get all they can for themselves, taking advantage of every opportunity for that goal.  A follower of Christ has an eternal view of life.  We live with the knowledge that our days here are brief.  Therefore, we must live fixed on the real priorities.  Everyone will spend eternity in heaven or hell, depending upon their response to Jesus.  Life's true goal, then, is to live for Christ and take as many people with us as possible.  "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all that I might win more of them." (v.19)

To illustrate this fixed mind-set, the Holy Spirit had Paul compare life to a race.  Races are timed events.  There is a starting line and a finish line.  What does it take to finish well?  Notice the key elements mentioned in verses 24-27.
1. It begins with a Personal Decision.
No one can make this decision for another.  The runner must decide to get into the race and join the team.  One must commit themselves as to why they are doing this.  When a person realizes that they are eternally doomed and that Jesus paid the full and final payment for their deliverance, God's love constrains us to live for Him.

2. It requires Personal Discipline.
"Every athlete exercises self-control in all things."  Do we have freedom and rights?  Yes.  But the runner limits those things in order to run this race.  "I discipline my body and keep it under control."  To finish well, the runner is careful about what he allows in his body and mind.  He maintains a regimen of exercise.  A runner cannot hope to finish well without such disciplines.  In the same way, a believer must maintain daily disciplines for spiritual growth.

3. It fears Personal Disqualification.
A runner who violates the regulations of the race is removed from participation.  They are still on the team, but they may end up sitting on the bench.  Who does this disqualifying?  We do.  There are no short cuts, no cheating, and no excuses allowed.  The runner for Jesus is fixed on the finish line.  There are rewards awaiting and the Savior wants to be able to say, "Well done!"