As a great amount of training is needed for athletic activities, so we must train diligently for the Christian life. Such training takes time, dedication, energy, continued practice, and vision. We must all commit ourselves to the Christian life, but we must first know the rules as prescribed in God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:5).
Training: Go into strict training in order to get the prize.
Our Goal as Believers: We train ourselves to run the race of life. So we keep our eyes on Christ—the goal—and don’t get sidetracked or slowed down. When we do this, we will win a reward in Christ’s Kingdom.
Training: Focus all your energies toward winning the race.
Our Goal as Believers: Living the Christian life demands all of our energies. We can forget the past and strain to reach the goal because we know Christ promises eternity with him at the race’s end.
Training: Spiritual exercise will help you grow in faith and character.
Our Goal as Believers: As we must repeat exercises to tone our bodies, so we must also steadily repeat spiritual exercises to be spiritually fit: when we do this, we become better Christians, living in accordance with God’s will. Such a life will attract others to Christ and pay dividends in both this life and the next.
Training: Fighting the good fight and persevering to the end.
Our Goal as Believers: The Christian life is a fight against evil forces from without and temptation from within. If we stay true to God through it all, he promises an end, a rest, and a crown.