I Strike A Blow To My Body

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. 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. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Romans 13:11-14

When you go into the armed forces, the first day you take all your civilian clothes and mail them home. Every day after that, the uniform we put on reminded us that we had entered a period of disciplined training to change our attitudes and actions.

A costume is something you put on and pretend you are while you are wearing it. A uniform reminds people of who and what you are. You are what you wear.

While we choose to follow Christ as our Lord, He begins the process of making us more like Him each day. It is not a matter of pretending to be what we aren’t but of becoming more and more what we are in Christ.

Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life.

Our Daily Bread – December 12, 2013