Training vs. Trying

    "If you can love God supremely and love others as God has loved you without praying or reading the scriptures or participating in worship, good for you. I have trouble believing that you can pull that off, however, because Jesus prayed earnestly, studied the scriptures carefully, and participated in worship wherever he went. If he needed to live that way I know that I do, and I am very confident that you do too."
     There are many people who want to go to heaven, but most don't want to do what is necessary to get there. Exercising unto Godliness is something every Christian should take quite seriously. Disciplining ourselves is the key to persevere. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 cannot say it any better. "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶ Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; ²⁷ but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."  We are to simply run in a way to receive the ultimate prize. 

     If you have ever researched an Olympic gold medalist you would be amazed at how much discipline, and training they put forth to win a perishable medal. I'll use Michael Phelps as an example. Michael Phelps swims around 50 miles a week. His diet consists of 12,000 calories a day, and he trains for six hours a day six days a week. He does this. . . .for a medal, and for self gain. 
    Can a Christian try to be a Christian for sole gain?  Someone can choose to do a good discipline not to love God and others, but to impress God and others. Jesus gave clear warnings about this. In Matthew 6:16-18 it tells us that when we fast, we are not to look as if we are fasting, but to pretty much put a big smile on our face. It is not easy to train with anything. Disciplining ourselves is never easy. God though tells us in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 to never tire from doing what is good. Everyday we should be praising God, praying, studying the scriptures, and being a Godly example and of course being with other Christians as often as we can. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 says "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; ⁸ in the future there is laid up 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 loved His appearing." What a glorious day that will be. 
    "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by  him; for those whom the Lord loved he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives."

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:1-11.

Are you in training for the race that really matters?