Running the Race 奔跑天路
Dexu Xia
We [go into strict training] to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:25
The careers of most National Football League players are remarkably brief: just 3.3 years on average, according to statista.com. Then there’s NFL quarterback Tom Brady. In 2021, he began his twenty-second season at the age of forty-four. How? Perhaps his famously rigorous diet and exercise routine have enabled him to maintain his competitive edge. Brady’s seven Super Bowl rings have earned him the title of G.O.A.T.—greatest of all time in the NFL. But it’s a title he never could have achieved apart from letting his single-minded pursuit of football perfection shape everything in his life.
The apostle Paul recognized athletes exhibiting similar discipline in his day (1 Corinthians 9:24). But he also saw that no matter how much they trained, ultimately their glory faded. In contrast, he said, we have an opportunity to live for Jesus in a way that affects eternity. If athletes striving for momentary glory can work so hard at it, Paul implies, how much more should those living for “a crown that will last forever” (v. 25).
We don’t train to earn salvation. Rather, just the opposite: as we realize how truly wondrous our salvation is, it reshapes our priorities, our perspective, and the very things we live for as each of us faithfully runs our own race of faith in God’s strength.
How do you think your faith motivates you to give your very best? How can you avoid legalism as you grow in spiritual disciplines?
Father, help me to grow in discipline as a response to Your love and not as an attempt to earn something You’ve already given me.
我们却是要得不能坏的冠冕。—哥林多前书9章25节
美国美式足球联盟（NFL）是世界最大的职业橄榄球联盟。根据一份统计资料显示，联盟大多数球员的职业生涯都非常短暂，平均仅有3.3年，但四分卫布雷迪（Tom Brady）则是异乎寻常的特例。2021年，44岁的布雷迪展开他的第22个赛季，究竟他是怎么办到的呢？也许是他出了名的严格控管饮食和维持体能训练，使他保持竞争优势。布雷迪拥有七枚超级杯冠军戒指，被众人称为联盟史上最伟大的四分卫。但如果他没有全心全意地投入美式足球，并以此为生活的重心，就不可能得到这个称号。
使徒保罗认为在他那个时代的运动员，也展现出类似的纪律（哥林多前书9章24节）。但他也看到无论运动员如何训练，他们的荣耀最终都会消逝。相形之下，保罗说为耶稣而活的基督徒，他们的影响力将会存到永恒。在这里，保罗暗示运动员为了一时的荣耀都如此努力，那么，基督徒要得着那“不能坏的冠冕”（25节），岂不应当更加努力操练吗？
我们努力操练并不是为了得到救恩，而是恰恰相反。当我们意识到上帝所赐的救恩是何等奇妙时，我们就会倚靠上帝的能力，忠心地奔跑天路；我们会调整人生的优先次序，改变对人事物的看法，为耶稣基督而活。
你的信仰如何激励你全力以赴？
当你努力追求成长时，要如何避免落入律法主义？
天父，求祢帮助我谨记，救恩是祢白白赐给我的，
我努力操练是为了要回应祢的爱，而非赚取救恩。