We talk about the "daily Christian walk," but Paul thought in terms of the "daily Christian run." He was intense, motivated, and disciplined. He said, in effect, don't just remain an amateur Christian. Don't run aimlessly. Don't beat the air. Behave like a pro. Sign on for a proactive faith-just do it, turn pro and "get a crown that will last forever" (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Discipline
Paul's advice isolates three factors for a winning attitude, the first being discipline. "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training," he said. The hundred-year-old Isthmian Games were the Corinthian version of the Olympic Games.

To be a champion requires discipline. One coach preaches: "Discipline yourself and nobody else will have to."

Like a head coach, Jesus spoke to His players about self-denial. Almost everything about Christianity requires self-control. You have to be proactive in cultivating personal habits that are spiritually sound. It takes discipline to go to bed early enough on Saturday night to be refreshed and ready for worship on Sunday morning, to keep gospel tracts in your briefcase so that they'll be available for sharing, to resist the temptation to view an immoral image, to pray and read God's Word, to control your temper and your tongue, and to stay physically fit for Christ.

Is there a consistent, undisciplined pattern in your life keeping you from being more proactive about your faith?

Motivation
Professional athletes are also motivated to win, as was Paul who said, "Run in such a way as to get the prize." Think of yourself as an athlete, playing for the finest motivational coach in history. How does Jesus motivate you to give Him your best effort?

When I read the Bible, it's like the Lord is putting His arm around me and spurring me on. Sometimes He even yells at me in His Word. I'm also motivated by listening to good teaching from others, listening to tapes and Bible broadcasts, and reading Christian books, especially biographies. Recently, for example, I read a biography of hymnist John Newton which gave me fresh motivation to run the race for Christ.

The Lord also motivates us by the inner working of His Spirit. In Galatians 5:16, Paul wrote, "My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit" (The Message). If we're going to be pros for Christ, we've got to drink in the motivation He provides.

Endurance
In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul also alluded to endurance. He did not want to get to the end of the race and be disqualified; he wanted to win the crown. In the Greek games, only the winner received the prize.

Today we're apt to become lackadaisical about winning. Paul wanted to win the crown at the end. Of course, Paul isn't saying there is only one winner, but that everyone must be a winner. Each of us can end our earthly race successfully.

I read about a father who was teaching his son perseverance. "Son," he said, "don't give up. Just think of Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Jesse Owens, and Isador Pringle."

The son replied, "Dad, I know Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Jesse Owens. They were great athletes who never gave up. But who was Isador Pringle?"

His father said, "He gave up. That's why you never heard of him."

Sometimes we grow weary in our Christian race-too tired to attend another meeting, say another prayer, read another chapter, resist another temptation. God doesn't want us to live exhausted lives, but He does want endurance. Hebrews 12:2 says: "Run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus."

Vince Lombardi said, "Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit."

Isn't it time to develop a proactive faith, to become a pro for Christ? Get into training, training unto righteousness.

Forgetting the things which are behind, let's press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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This article was excerpted from Turning Points, Dr. David Jeremiah's devotional magazine. Call Turning Point at 1-800-947-1993 for your complimentary copy of Turning Points.