1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)
24 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. 25 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. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 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.
In 2002, Jets’ coach Herm Edwards was asked by a reporter if the Jets were in danger of giving up after a lack-luster start to the season. In response, he delivered one of the most memorable rants in press-conference history containing the phrase, “You. Play. To. Win. The. Game.”
This is what Paul is talking about here. Athletics in Corinth was a huge part of the culture: even more than Fantasy Football is at FBCW! Paul uses boxing as a metaphor to say that real athletes, like boxers, trained for a purpose: to win a perishable crown. With an even greater prize to be won, Paul was exhorting Christians to train for their imperishable crown like these athletes.
I think Paul would have liked Herm Edwards’ memorable phrase. Imagine a Corinthian church reporter shoving a mic in Paul’s face saying, “Paul, the church in Corinth is spiraling out of control: some are sexually immoral; some are suing each other; there are arguments over what you can eat and what you can’t eat. Are you worried the church will just give up?”
Paul cooly steps to the mike and says, “we do not fight like a boxer beating the air…we. train. to. win. a. crown!”
That speech worked for Herm Edwards’ Jets as they turned their season around and made the playoffs. Now it is up to us to hear Paul’s word, join in the training, aim for the crown of eternal life and never give up!
Questions for thought and meditation:
How might we train for the everlasting crown?
In what ways do we punch in the air, wasting our time and energy?
How might we make our bodies our slave?
Dear Lord,
Thank you that because of Jesus we have won the game. Let us never give up when it comes to following Him. Help us enslave our own bodies to not be disqualified so we may preach the gospel to others. Help us see the great value in what Jesus did so we too may Play. To. Win. The. Game!
Ray Sanchez is a Pastor at FBCW and the only Fantasy Football Commissioner not to make the playoffs: He. did. not. win. the. game. If you want fantasy advice, ask Joe or Nathan. If you want to hear a fun podcast and test your Christmas Bible knowledge, check out this episode of the Commissioners’ Report.