1 Cor 9:24 says: - “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” (NLT)

If God has promised you something, then the seed is in you but you have to pursue it with diligence and perseverance. We can run to win. As Christians I believe we are born to win – we’re on the winning side but so often we feel like the ‘other team’ is in control of the game.

So how do we run to win? We can take some lessons from the game of golf. Now let me make it very clear I’m not a golfing expert (my handicap is my swing) but speaking with those who are competent at this frustrating game, I have gleaned 5 key points we can apply to our Christian lives so we can ‘run to win’.

1. Stance

2. Grip

3. Eye on Ball

4. Watch for traps

5. Follow through

STANCE

We need to start at the cross with our feet firmly planted on Christ the solid rock. The Cross is the trading post where Jesus took all our sins, from ‘womb to tomb’, and traded them for His righteousness. The Bible declares in Psa 40:2 “He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.”

Our steps are established when we stand on Jesus and His Word. We need to know where we’re standing – the correct stance makes all the difference. “If any man is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” 2 Cor 5:17

Paul states in Gal 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

We are justified by His blood and the Father sees us as righteous as He does His only Son – what an incredible truth on which to stand!

GRIP

We’re the ones who are responsible for our own lives. To quote Bob Gass: - “men determine habits and habits determine lifestyle.”

What healthy habits can you get a grip on? Reading God’s Word, prayer and fellowship, sharpening each other, not to mention exercise, healthy eating and rest.

We need to have a good grip on God’s love for us and not take it for granted. To put it another way, not just have head knowledge of His love but really know it by experience.

EYE ON THE BALL - STAY FOCUSSED

Keep your eyes on Jesus. When Jesus called Peter out of the boat onto the sea of Galilee, Peter immediately climbed down from the boat and walked on the water. It was when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked to the waves he began to sink. The same is true for us. When we focus on our problems instead of keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can so easily sink into the maelstrom of the storm. Fear will always attempt to neutralise our faith.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:1-2.

We don’t have to worry about our provision – if it’s God’s will it’s His bill! He promises to supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)

We can also be assured of His Presence. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (emphasis mine) James 4:8.

WATCH OUT FOR TRAPS

We began in 1 Cor 9. In the very next chapter Paul gives clear instructions about the traps of temptation, idolatry and complaining, in order to learn from history.

I believe if we stay focussed on the task of building the Kingdom of God with our lives, in other words allowing our lives to be ambassadors of the goodness of God in our speech and actions, then we can finish the race with joy and avoid the many pitfalls the enemy brings to distract us. Paul put it this way: - “What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.” Acts 20:24 MSG

FOLLOW THROUGH

It’s been said “It’s not how you start it’s how you finish.” We need to be people who follow through – follow through with our commitment to Christ and the outworking of that each and every day.

“For in just a little while, He who is coming will come and not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith and if he shrinks back (draws back or cowers, withdraws) my soul has no pleasure in him.” Heb 10:37-38

It’s all too easy to draw back when testing and trials come but it’s with follow through that the ball finds the target and we achieve our God given purpose in life.

God knows the worst about us but believes the best. How good is that! He sees us as we can become and if we follow through and allow Him to work in our lives in an ongoing way, He WILL complete the work He began in us (Phil 1:6).

So to summarise:-

Stance. Start at the cross and stand on Jesus the unchangeable unshakable One.

Grip. Let’s take responsibility for our lives

Eye on the ball. Stay focussed on Jesus and what He’s doing. As the old hymn says “Turn your eyes upon Jesus look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Watch for Traps. Be wise of the enemy’s devices.

Follow Through. Be a committed follower of Jesus. Consistency and steadfastness will bring the promises of God into our lives so we can run to win.

RUN TO WIN

CHRIST IN US

BE STILL