2 Timothy 2:5
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
Our family loves to watch track and field. We don’t follow all the minor events throughout the year, but whenever it comes time for World Championships or the Olympics, we are all in. One race we particularly enjoy is the 4x100 meter relay race. The 4x100 meter race, though exciting and energizing, is one of the most technical races in track and field. The race consists of several teams with 4 athletes on each team. Each player runs 100 meters while holding a baton, and at the end of their 100 meters, hands off the baton to the next runner. The catch, however, is that as each athlete hands off the baton, they have to do so while staying in their lane and before reaching a marked out point on the track. Because of the technicality and difficulty of this race, virtually every track competition at least one team is disqualified because of a failure to meet these two rules. Because they run outside the lines or don’t hand off the baton in time, they lose their chances at winning and are out of the competition. If they don’t run according to the specific rules and requirements, they are disqualified.
Now, just like how in the 4x100 there are certain rules and requirements for running the race, in the race of this life God has also given us certain rules and requirements, track lines, if you will, that we are meant to run within and marked boundaries that we are not supposed to cross. And similarly to how running outside of the track and field rules results in disqualification, anyone who fails to run within God’s parameters will also be disqualified. Only those who compete according to rules get crowned and only those who meet the requirements get rewarded. So how do we run within God’s requirements? How do we ensure that we are not disqualified from the race of this life? Let’s look and learn what God’s Word has to say.
Our verse for today reads, “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” In other words, the principle we draw from this verse is this: don’t be disqualified because of indiscipline, but have the rule-shaped regimen of an athlete. Our verse today in 2 Timothy is not the first and only instance where Paul uses the analogy of athletics to give us a better understanding of how we are to live the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Do you see the similar messages in these two verses?
The cumulative calling of these passages is to live a life of discipline and diligence both to positively win the prize and to negatively avoid falling into spiritual wreckage and ruin. The reality and risk of disqualification is the impetus for Biblically-informed and shaped discipline. Like an athlete preparing months ahead for a big competition, we as Christians ought to look at what God’s Word requires and teaches, and begin to develop disciplines centered around those principles.
Then, as our verse tells us, we will receive the prize. Not a prize that is perishable, momentary, and of this world, but the prize that is imperishable, eternal, and for the world to come— the prize of the crown of righteousness, which God will award to all who have loved his appearing and lived a life centered upon the wisdom and ways of His Word. Similar to the way athletes create regimens and routines to set themselves for victory, we as Christians must strive to live lives filled with Biblically-based disciplines that will set us up for spiritual victory.
So what do your spiritual disciplines look like? Don Whitney, in his very helpful and popular book on Spiritual Disciplines says that spiritual disciplines “are those practices found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of Christ. They are habits of devotion and experiential Christianity that have been practiced by the people of God since biblical times.” Spiritual disciplines are practices like Bible reading, prayer, Scripture memorization, evangelism, and learning more about who God is.
So are you exerting spiritual sweat to grow in the grace of Christ Jesus? Do you seek to read your Bible regularly even when it’s difficult? Do you make a habit of persistent prayer? Do you look and pray for moments to share the gospel? Do you make it a priority to attend and serve in your local church? Do you take time to meditate on the gospel and consider the health of your spiritual life? Do you have a mindset that vigorously seeks to kill sin? Are you even aware of your struggles with sin? All these questions and more can help us to diagnose the degree of spiritual discipline we have in our lives. Ironically, many of us apply and exert great discipline in areas of physical fitness, health, work, relationships, and hobbies, and yet when it comes to our relationship with the Lord, we fail to even break a sweat.
“Many of us apply and exert great discipline in areas of physical fitness, health, work, relationships, and hobbies, and yet when it comes with our relationship with the Lord, we fail to even break a sweat.”
Though we all know that to do anything great or worthwhile we must work hard, we somehow think that we can do great things for the Lord without being soaked in spiritual sweat. Today, God through His Word is telling us to think and act so no longer! If we want to grow in godliness and endure in suffering for the sake of the gospel, we need to have the rule–shaped regimen of an athlete to avoid being disqualified because of indiscipline.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 says, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” I love that! We must train ourselves for godliness! We must devote and discipline ourselves to invest in and sweat for something that will benefit us presently and for all eternity– godliness and increasing conformity to the image of Christ!
So as we go throughout our day and week, let’s remember to have the mental determination and disciplined lifestyle of an athlete in our walks with the Lord. And as we do, may we do so remembering that we do not practice spiritual disciplines for the sake of doing them, but because of what they accomplish and lead to– a closer, sweeter, and stronger relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh God, help us to be disciplined and not disqualified! Amen!