The Bible teaches to train hard to win the prize, but which type of prize and what type of training? Notice how the bible states the Christian life is to be as a racer going after first prize:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Cor 9:24-27)
In our apostate world, sports is a definite IDOL and the athletes are today’s heroes and role models – sometimes treated like a god. Even in the so-called church this is sadly true. One must ask, are the lavishly paid sports heroes really winners or horrible losers?
Paul Taught Against Eternal Security
Michael Phelps and His Crown That Will Not Last
Michael Fred Phelps II is the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 22 medals!
Phelps also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals, winning 8 gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games! He is a tremendous swimmer and athlete.
His training regimen included at least 2 to 5 hours in the pool every day of the year! Since 2004 he added weightlifting. He dedicated himself to swimming and is a definite star in the eyes of the world, but spiritually how is Michael Phelps?
Drunken Michael Phelps
Sad for anyone is an alcohol and/or drug problem. That even includes Michael Phelps. In November 2004 he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. In February 2009, Phelps was photographed at a party smoking a marijuana bong (a water pipe, a device used for smoking tobacco or marijuana) that made worldwide press. In September 2014, he was arrested again, on driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding charges.
Learn The Dangers Of Drunkenness
Paul Trained in a Different Way For a Much Better Crown
Shocking but true is the fact that the Christian life actually teaches STRICT TRAINING to win first prize, but how can that be, since the Christian life is presented so much differently? Paul’s strict training resulted in him being holy, righteous and blameless (1 Thess. 2:10), as well as being VERY FRUITFUL for the kingdom. As a Hebrew of Hebrews (Phil. 3:5) and Pharisee (Acts 23:6), Paul was spreading God’s truth and winning souls, NOT merely going after gold metals. He went after something of real value!
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Cor 9:19-23)
From 2004 to 2014 Michael Phelps displayed evidence of being a slave to sin. His exceptional swimming abilities didn’t change that! The same holds true for all athletes, politicians, inventors, scientists, computer developers, etc. Man has a serious spiritual problem affecting his behavior. He is a slave to sin! The ONLY remedy is the powerful and cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, which anyone can contact upon sincere and humble repentance to God and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21 cf. Rev. 1:5). Making known that remedy should be the main goal in the Christian life, not wasting time trying to be the best in any athletic field. Dear professing Christian, are you strictly training like Paul or Michael Phelps? Which type of crown are you trying to win? One will be lasting – the other is essentially meaningless and very temporary.
Remember: True victory and success are NOT how long you live, how much money you gather or how many gold metals you have won. True victory is associated with following the Lord Jesus Christ to the very end to enter God’s paradise kingdom.
