Gold is good. (1 Corinthians 9:15-27)

Gold is good. (1 Corinthians 9:15-27)
As the medal table of the Olympic swells, nations are being separated for one another with the count of medals. It is like the saying separating the men from the boys. As we all know, the most important medal is the gold. Fortunately only one gold is available on each game. Gold is good. Gold symbolise an unrivalled excellence. Even miners dig so deep to get the raw ones. Gold are not got from the earth surface.
1Corinthians 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. From the passage we read, Paul compared the Christian race to athletics, boxing and other games like the ones we see on the Olympics. Both the race for gold in the Olympic and the race for the prize in Christian journey have a lot in common. The competitors in both race have to beat all the hurdles and all the other competitors if they would qualify for gold. Everybody aimed for the gold. Nevertheless, it takes much practice, consistent self-denial, self control, self-discipline and hard work to get gold.
Surprisingly not only those who would win gold alone, according to 1 Timothy 5:6, it seems it applies to everybody.
1Timothy 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 　
Not only widows, anyone who live without self denial of certain things in life is a living dead. It is true of the race of life. Athletes for example do not eat anyhow, drink anything, sleep anywhere and rush to the stage to win gold. Do they? We listen to their interview everyday.
Even in their respective races, they follow laid down rules in order to win.
1Corinthians 9:25 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.
Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. So I think there is self-control. They don’t just do anything they feel like. They know they could be disqualified. And indeed many were disqualified for one reason or the other in the on-going Olympic games. There is also self discipline just as Paul explained how he runs his race.
1Corinthians 9:26 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. Not to mention, hard work is a must for would-be winners of gold. This is because they have many other contestants to beat, they have hurdles to cross. They are also under time constraints. Only those who work hard enough could gain enough mastery and win gold.
Proverbs 6:4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
The prize of the Christian race is the incorruptible crown reserved for those have won the race having followed all the rules. This refers to the victory of eternal salvation which is the precious goal of the Christian life - the gold. Unlike the Olympic gold, this gold cannot be corrupted and is eternal. Do you like gold. Would you like to win the gold of eternal life in Christ the Lord? Why not say it in your heart first and follow the simple steps of inviting Jesus Christ into your life? I am very sure eternal life will be yours.
Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.Gold is good, eternal gold is better. Go for gold. God bless you.