ISB ~ 1 Corinthians 9 v24 - 27

Paul compares the spiritual life to athletic competition. Just as training the body is a necessary part of the quest for excellence, so believers are challenged to exert great effort in the battle against selfishness through the rigorous discipline of their bodies. This is all the more necessary since the stakes of the Christian life are far higher than any sporting event:to be disqualified (9:27) from this race is to forfeit the award of heaven itself (2 Tim 4:6-8).