Stand Up

“When I run, I don’t run to lose. I just wanna run better this time than I did last time.”

– Pastor Doug Wede

If we run intent on losing, then we’re not really trying, and if we’re not really trying, then what’s the point?

In 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, Paul says “I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 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.”

There is a lot to unpack here. These verses will be our landing pad for the day. Where we begin, and where we return to.

“I wanna run better this time than I did last time.”

To put it simply, it’s a one-man race. Eight billion or so of them happening independently, yet simultaneously.

Later, in Galatians 5:7, Paul says “You were running a good race. Who stopped you?”

Don’t let you stop you.

Briefly revisiting The Freedom Series, Romans 6:12-13 warns us not to let sin reign in our mortal bodies, but rather, we must offer all of ourselves to God, every part of us an instrument to righteousness.

“And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God” (1 Kings 8:61).

So when Paul says he’s not running aimlessly or beating the air, what he really means is that he is in constant competition with himself, enduring, persevering, ever refining his discipline. He is offering everything he has today, and tomorrow just a little bit more, to the God on high, and in doing so, making his body his slave and himself a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:18).

He does all this so as not to disqualify himself from the prize, and I wanna talk about that.

I know what you’re thinking. The prize is salvation.

. . . Except it’s not. Drew Riley delivered an awesome message a few days earlier in which we broke down what salvation truly means, how it’s acquired, and whether or not it can be revoked.

Salvation can not be earned. It is a free gift. And nothing we do or don’t do will ever change that (Romans 3:24, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9).

Nothing can disqualify a true believer from salvation, but sin can disqualify us from having an impactful testimony.

So salvation isn’t the prize. Christlikeness is.

The finish line is this: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

We discipline ourselves, we keep pushing, keep going, because persevering in faith is how we grow in our Christlikeness.

And our Christlikeness is how we grow more Christians, bigger Christians, stronger Christians (Acts 1:8, 1 Peter 3:15, Revelation 12:11).

To backtrack still further to another sermon series, simply titled Freedom, we have been called into action, friends.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

We have all been given a mission: Tell the world about Him. And anyone with a mission to win somebody to Christ then becomes, by default, a missionary.

And missionaries move. Never still, never stagnant.

“Go and make disciples.”

“Go.”

If you’re running, keep going.

And if you’re sitting, stand up.

Stand up with purpose.

Before Paul was Paul, he was Saul. We all know Saul. In short, not a good dude. But God put His hand on him anyway. Said “Stand up,” . . . and Paul left Saul behind. (Acts 9:1-6)

I like Paul. I like the way he thinks, and he’s obviously someone who loved to write—look at how many books are credited to his name—so that’s definite points in my proverbial book. Imagine the Bible without Paul’s contributions? Imagine the people without his teachings? Imagine if Paul kept living in yesterday, if he sat back down on account of Saul.

“Living in the past is the only prison that will keep you from soaring into an abundant future.”

-Claudine Boutros

Stop carrying yesterday. It’s time to stand up and move . . . with freedom.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

-Romans 5:1-5

Yesterday’s chains are broken, friends. You don’t have to remain seated. You are free to stand in grace.

Just don’t stand up only to sit back down.

Don't be disqualified from the prize.