TRAINING SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

For the people of Corinth at that time, sports competitions were not just entertainment. The Isthmian Games, the famous sports competition, brought in athletes who had trained for a long time. They maintained their diet, abstained from various pleasures, and underwent disciplined training. All of this was done for one purpose, to obtain the crown of victory. Interestingly, the crown was made of leaves. Therefore, the crown did not last long.

Paul used the Isthmian Games to illustrate the life of faith. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, he showed that the spiritual life also requires discipline. Every believer is "running" in the race of faith. Therefore, it requires self-control, clear direction, and sincerity of heart. The difference is, the believer's goal is far more noble, not to obtain a perishable crown, but an eternal crown.

This perspective is interesting because Paul emphasizes spiritual training, not just spiritual enthusiasm. In fact, he himself "trained his body and made it his slave" (v. 27). This means that faith is not enough with just good intentions or momentary emotions. Faith grows through habits that are nurtured consistently: prayer, the Word, self-control, and faithfulness in doing small things.

In this era, training spiritual discipline may feel strange and unfamiliar. Not many people care about it. However, that is where the strength of faith is built. When we faithfully train spiritual discipline, it means preparing ourselves to achieve a great goal, which is to live pleasing to God and obtain the eternal crown. --SAP/www.renunganharian.net