Each of the eight remaining teams in contention to reach the Super Bowl are well aware of this one thing – only one of the teams will receive the Lombardi trophy. Seven of today’s remaining teams will end their season with a “loss.” In the “game” of life, Paul reminds us,

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Therefore, we must run in such a way that we may win” (1 Cor. 9:24)?

So, if we are going to enter this competition in order to win, there are certain things that we must do in order to accomplish that. Like the opposing team trying to keep us out of the end zone, we must first know the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team so that we can run plays that will overcome their strengths and attack their weaknesses. In the “game” of “life,” our competition is not against another team, but against two forces that are bent on keeping us from “scoring.” Interestingly, these forces are both “internal” as well as “external.” Let’s look at each of these and how they work together to try and keep us from the “end zone.”

Our constant internal struggle is again sin, and more specifically, as the Apostle John puts it, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life” (1 Jn. 2:16). I call these three “The Trinity of Temptation.” The Apostle James tells us that God does not tempt anyone, but we are led astray by the lusts that emerge from within us (Js. 1:13-15). These are the same temptations that “took down” Adam and Eve in the Garden (Gen. 3:1-6), and the same temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness after His baptism (Mt. 4:1-11). Jesus countered these temptations with quotations from God’s Word which revealed for all of us that Satan is a liar and a thief who is trying to steal all that God has for us to experience. And so, in addition to our internal struggle against sin, we cannot forget the fact that,

“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, powers, and the forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).

As I mentioned last week, I want to provide and develop just a bit more some biblical principles for “winning.” These instructions are for all of us and they are all found in God’s Word. I have listed the scriptural verses at the end if you would like to check them out. Anyway, here are the biblical principles for “winning,”

1) First, we must be committed to winning the race. None of us should settle for placing second or third, but to actually win.

2) If we are committed to winning, then we must discipline ourselves to win. Each of us must do all we can to achieve physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual health. Books have been written on these topics, but the key is that we must exercise discipline in each of these areas, and that’s the biggest and most difficult challenge for all of us, but it must be done if we are to win.

3) We must get rid of the excess baggage in our lives. You and I must identify those things that are keeping us from running the race with vigor, and then decide to eliminate them from our lives. Once we identify the baggage that is dragging us down, we must take the steps to eliminate it.

4) We can’t look back. Dwelling on the past is never good for anyone. Even the Apostle Paul, as he looked back at his part in the killing of Stephen who was “stoned” to death, becoming the first Christian martyr, he knew that he could not continue to “beat himself up” about his involvement. He needed to submit the past to Christ, knowing that he had already been forgiven.

5) We must never give up, even when tempted to do so. We must continue to persevere when the going gets tougher than our strength can endure. It’s at that time that His strength will become evident in our lives.

6) We must keep your eyes on Jesus who is standing at the finish line cheering us on. Consider all that He endured from the religious leaders and from His own people throughout His earthly ministry. The pressures and temptations He faced where constant, and yet He overcame them all. We can do the same.

7) We must all anticipate the prize waiting for us. What is that prize? Of course, in general, it is Heaven, and in Heaven we will find “The Father’s House,” the New Covenant Temple, a spiritual Temple where God dwells. Jesus told us, “In My Father’s House there is room enough for all, and I am going to prepare a place for you.” But what is the additional, personal prize that will be given to us by Jesus? I believe it is simply to have Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Let’s all run the race to win. I pray that this year God will grant each of you all that you need to “run with endurance” and “win” the race of life, honoring Christ with each step. May God bless you in your journey in 2020.

Verses used above: Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Phil. 3:13-14; Heb. 12:1-2.