Lesson 3 for the 17 th of April, 2010

Paul compares an athlete’s life with a Christian’s life.

Our coach is Jesus. He lived the same we are living and reached the goal. He is willing to help us with everything we need to reach it. Every athlete needs a coach. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews, 12: 1-2)

We must obey the rules that govern a believer’s life, as they are written in God’s Word. Every athlete obeys the rules. 2 Timothy, 2: 5

We must be subjected to a discipline. That means to do things we dislike and are beneficial for our Christian growth. We must refrain from doing things we like and make our spiritual growth difficult. “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 for ever. 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 Corinthians, 9: 25-27) Every athlete follows a strict discipline.

Although faith is a gift, we must exercise it. We can make choices, claim God’s promises, take chances and submit to God’s will; always being based on that faith. We need a daily routine to exercise and grow in faith. It should involve studying, praying and meditating. That will prevent our faith from “atrophying” because a lack of exercise. Every athlete trains everyday. E.G.W. (That I may know Him, February 18)

Living by faith is, then, going on what we already know of God’s love; it means trusting God based on what we already have experienced; it means taking Him at His word because He has shown us His goodness and love—no matter how difficult our circumstances are and no matter how much we do not see or understand. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus” (Philippians, 3: 12-14) Every athlete doesn’t let anything discourage him.

We must bear our goal in mind: Finishing our earthly life without being separated from Jesus. Then, we will obtain our prize: Living with Jesus forever. “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) Every athlete wins a prize when he reaches the goal.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body and with your spirit, which are God's” (1 Corinthians, 6: 19-20) Our bodies and our minds are God’s gifts. They are closely related. Maintaining healthy bodies will help us in maintaining our minds receptive to God’s voice.

Physical exercise is needed to maintain a healthy body. Frequency and moderation must be kept in mind, adapting the exercise to our personal needs.

“By neglecting to take physical exercise, by overworking mind or body, we unbalance the nervous system. Those who thus shorten their lives by disregarding nature's laws are guilty of robbery toward God. We have no right to neglect or misuse the body, the mind, or the strength, which should be used to offer God consecrated service” E.G.W. (Counsels on Health, cp. 2, page 41)