1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27 – Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 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. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE DEMANDING CHRISTIAN LIFE. The Christian life demands much of us. Yes, we are saved by grace alone through Christ alone revealed by scripture alone embraced by faith alone and for God’s glory alone. We embrace and rejoice in these glorious Reformation and biblical truths. They are the uncompromising foundations of what we believe. But the grace of God that saves us is also the grace of God that empowers us to live the demanding life of following Christ. God indeed places high demands on all who claim to know and follow His Son. Here are two portions of scripture revealing what the Lord expects of us.

First, the words of the Lord Jesus. Settle over them in our minds and heart. These should make us pause and do some self-examination. Our Lord sets a high bar, the only bar, for being His disciple – And Jesus was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:23-25). Self-denial, embrace suffering, and do both daily every day of our lives. Those are the pre-requisites our Lord places upon anyone desiring to be His disciple.

The other scripture pointing us to the demanding Christian life is today’s scripture. Spend time and meditate on the imagery the Apostle Paul provides defining the Christian life; a grueling race, an exhausting athletic game, and a bruising boxing match. And come to all in order to be victorious is extreme self-control of our bodies. This means we constantly say “No” to our sinful flesh seeking comfort over self-discipline; saying “No” to our sinful flesh tempting us to fulfill lustful passions; and saying “No” to our sinful flesh in its all-out war against us to neglect God’s Word, prayer, and obedience. And placing that alongside Jesus’ words, this self-discipline to say “No” to our flesh is to be done daily, all day, and for all of life.

So, think the Christian life is easy? Doesn’t demand much of us? If our view of the Christian life is “All of God and His grace” leading to an undisciplined life of attempting to follow Christ and the world while allowing our flesh to fulfill its sinful desires in us, we don’t understand the Christian life.

Now, I know this is “tough stuff” and the sensitive heart feels like crying out, “Lord, I cannot meet the demands You place upon me to be Your disciple.” And that is exactly where the Lord wants us. It is in our confessed inability that Christ’s ability comes to our rescue. If we are serious and desirous to be a true disciple, meeting the demands the Lord places upon us, rejoice. He will come with enabling grace. Remember, the grace that saves is also the grace that empowers us to live the true Christian life He calls us to live!

PRAYER: “Father, help me battle my flesh putting to death its inward passions and outward temptations.”

QUOTE: “Putting to death our flesh is the greatest and most intense area of spiritual warfare God calls us to.”