Get serious

"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." I Corinthians 9. 24

I don't think Paul was exhorting Christians to compete with one another but I do believe that he was encouraging us to apply the same dedication to living faithfully, as an athlete puts into winning a race. What will that look like for us? And how does it fit with our dependance on the grace of God for salvation, rather than our own efforts to earn our way onto heaven?

We need to distinguish between our deliverance from sin and death, which only God can handle and which he accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus; how that takes effect in our lives, which is a work of the Holy Spirit; and our response, which is our responsibility.

From Jesus' parables (eg the sheep and the goats, the sower and the seed), to the letter of James, to Paul's athletic metaphor, it is clear that God expects fruit to grow from faith and the other gifts which he lavishes on believers. Winning a race involves training, commitment and the desire to succeed. Is that how we approach our lives as Christians?

We need to get serious about praying regularly, studying the Bible, getting to grips with our weaknesses, developing our gifts, nurturing our relationship with God and serving others. If that sounds invigorating: get on with it! If it sounds exhausting: ask God to help you get excited and show you where to start. Latha obair tòiseachadh!