Run to win

1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Castaway
ἀδόκιμος adókimos, ad-ok'-ee-mos; from G1 (as a negative particle) and G1384; unapproved, i.e. rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally):—castaway, rejected, reprobate.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

2 Timothy 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We are to run putting in effort towards our salvation.

Some people do not run but they are in intensive care of a spiritual hospital.

They do not come to the truth denying being led by the Spirit because they will not let go of the flesh.

Erickok said:

It’s impossible to argue, reason or negotiate with sin. Whatever our personal battle with temptation is alcohol, drugs, device usage, wrong relationship, pride, its purpose is to destroy us. So, we need to destroy it and overcome.

Click to expand...

2 Timothy 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

Sin is not intentionally out to destroy us as if it had a mind of its own to harm us.

But it is pleasures that we want to enjoy according to the flesh.

But it will destroy us because in the flesh dwells no good thing and those in the flesh cannot please God.

But sin is not trying to destroy us.

So to say the purpose of sin is to destroy us does not make sense.

Erickok said:

Run to win

Run from temptations 2 Timothy 2:22.

Desperate situations sometimes call for desperate measures, and cutting the supply line to our earthly nature, means getting radical. Jesus put it like this: “if your right eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body, than for your whole body to end up in hell Mathew 5:29 – 30. Seems pretty drastic but what Jesus is suggesting is moral and spiritual surgery and that’s radical.

It’s impossible to argue, reason or negotiate with sin. Whatever our personal battle with temptation is alcohol, drugs, device usage, wrong relationship, pride, its purpose is to destroy us. So, we need to destroy it and overcome.

The apostle Paul was familiar with Old Testament Scripture. He knew that Samson fell while Joseph stood strong when faced with similar temptations. That’s why he wrote to his spiritual son, Timothy, warning him about the sin that could disqualify him and keep him from winning the race. Run from temptations that capture young people.

So, what now? Life is saturated with seductive influences, which means you can’t always eliminate the source. So, Paul told Timothy and now you and me. When you can’t remove the influence, remove yourself. And run, don’t walk. You can be free but your earthly mind will only give you a few second before it decides for you. So don’t hesitate, don’t try to make excuses. Do what needs to be done and do it quickly.

You are made to live free.

Pastor Erick

Click to expand...

Good point, like Joseph ran from Potiphar's wife.