1 Corinthians 9: 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize ? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim ; I box in such a way, as not beating the air ; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
What did Paul mean by saying so that "I myself will not be disqualified"? It is obvious that the theme here is the saving power of the gospel, (by bringing us to the knowledge of Jesus Christ). But he is also saying that it is not enough to preach the Gospel, one must live it! The prize Paul alludes to is salvation. He is saying that we must live our lives the same way that an athlete who wants to win does. An athlete makes winning his ultimate goal, and everything he does is with that goal in mind. He does nothing that hinders the accomplishment of that goal. We must discipline ourselves in the same way.
But is he saying that lukewarm Christians may not "win the prize"? Or is he saying that we must live as if we might lose our salvation, even though it is guranteed? Is there a minimum that we can do that will save us, (i.e. believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior), and anything more is a feather in our cap? Do our works matter? Paul speaks of giving up rights, such as the right to receive remuneration for his teaching of the Gospel. Is his reward going to be the same as those who get by only doing what is required?
What did Paul mean by saying so that "I myself will not be disqualified"? It is obvious that the theme here is the saving power of the gospel, (by bringing us to the knowledge of Jesus Christ). But he is also saying that it is not enough to preach the Gospel, one must live it! The prize Paul alludes to is salvation. He is saying that we must live our lives the same way that an athlete who wants to win does. An athlete makes winning his ultimate goal, and everything he does is with that goal in mind. He does nothing that hinders the accomplishment of that goal. We must discipline ourselves in the same way.
But is he saying that lukewarm Christians may not "win the prize"? Or is he saying that we must live as if we might lose our salvation, even though it is guranteed? Is there a minimum that we can do that will save us, (i.e. believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior), and anything more is a feather in our cap? Do our works matter? Paul speaks of giving up rights, such as the right to receive remuneration for his teaching of the Gospel. Is his reward going to be the same as those who get by only doing what is required?