Master Plan: Running the Race to Win the Prize

Do you ever feel like you're just going through the motions in your spiritual life? Like you've reached a certain level of faith and now you're just coasting? The truth is, our spiritual journey is much like training for a championship - we never truly "arrive."

Just as championship teams must continue working even after winning a title, we too must keep pressing forward in our faith journey. There's always something more to achieve, something to improve, and a greater prize to pursue.

What Is the Ultimate Prize We're Running For?

The apostle Paul uses powerful athletic metaphors in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to describe our spiritual journey: "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."

But what exactly is this prize we're pursuing? Simply put, it's to know and fulfill our purpose. Our ultimate purpose is threefold:

1. To glorify God in everything we do (Isaiah 43:7)

2. To share the good news of Jesus Christ

3. To live with an eternal perspective, looking forward to Christ's return

From Sinner to Purpose-Driven Follower

Our journey begins with acknowledging a fundamental truth: we are sinners in need of a savior. Sin simply means "missing the mark" with God - it's an archer's term for failing to hit the bullseye.

As Solomon wisely noted in 1 Kings 8:46, "There is no one who does not sin." From the garden of Eden until today, every person has missed God's mark. But God's purpose in Christ Jesus is that we would be saved from sin.

John 3:16 reminds us that God is a giving God - He's always trying to contribute to our lives, to build us up and lift us up. He did this ultimately through Jesus Christ.

How Do We Practice Our Purpose?

Winning requires self-discipline. Just as athletes must practice consistently to excel, we must exercise spiritual disciplines to grow in our faith.

Paul's concern for the Corinthian church was that they would revert to pagan practices - going backward instead of forward. He wanted them to stay focused on the prize and not be enticed by things that would fade away.

Self-discipline requires us to study God's Word. As 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

When we practice our purpose daily through Bible study, prayer, and obedience, we prepare ourselves for unexpected opportunities to share our faith. Like professional athletes who practice difficult catches until they become second nature, we must practice our spiritual disciplines until godly responses become natural.

Are You a Consumer or a Contributor?

One of the most challenging questions we must ask ourselves is: Am I merely consuming spiritual content, or am I actively contributing to God's kingdom?

Many Christians fall into the trap of constantly taking in sermons, books, and worship experiences without ever giving back. We become spiritual sponges, soaking up everything but never being wrung out to serve others.

Paul ran his race with direction and purpose. He wasn't just "boxing the air" - he was making contact, living out his faith even when it meant taking hits. He understood that living out our purpose sometimes involves bruises, but that's part of the race.

The Urgency of Living with Purpose

We often forget the urgency of our mission. While we focus on the "blessed hope" of Christ's return, we must remember that none of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Just as Jesus could return at any moment, we could be called home at any time.

This reality should motivate us to live out our purpose with intention every day. We never know the impact our words and actions might have on someone else's life.

Consider Erica Kirk, who publicly forgave her husband Charlie's murderer at his memorial service. Her act of forgiveness inspired actor Tim Allen to finally forgive the drunk driver who killed his father 60 years earlier. She had no idea her words would have such an impact, but because she was living out her purpose, lives were changed.

Three Forces Working Against Your Purpose

As we run this race, we face three powerful forces working against us:

1. Our own sinful desires

2. The world system that opposes God's ways

3. Satan and his demonic forces

This might sound discouraging, but remember the cross! Through Christ's death and resurrection, He has defeated all three. We have victory through faith in Him.

Life Application

To master your life according to God's plan:

1. Take an inventory of your heart. What are your priorities each day? What are you pursuing? Ask God to search your heart as David did in Psalm 51.

2. Exercise self-discipline. This isn't a one-time decision but a daily commitment to run the race well.

3. Discard the weight that holds you back. Identify and remove anything that hinders your spiritual progress.

4. Shift from being a consumer to a contributor. Ask yourself: "What do I have to give? How can I contribute to those around me?"

Questions to Consider:

• What unnecessary weights am I carrying that are slowing down my spiritual race?

• Am I running aimlessly, or do I have a clear sense of purpose and direction?

• In what ways have I been merely consuming rather than contributing to God's kingdom?

• What one step can I take this week to live out my purpose more intentionally?

Remember, no one just arrives at spiritual maturity. We must work toward it daily, keeping our eyes fixed on the prize of the upward call of God in our lives until the day He calls us home.

Let’s run to win—together. At New Faith Church, we’re here to help you connect with God and each other, grow in grace, and find your purpose and a place to serve. Join us Sundays at 10:30 AM or visit www.newfaithcw.org.