Friday July 12th, 2024
« Since we are surrounded by so many examples [of faith], we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up »
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
A ship is usually very big.
Many ships are bigger in height and width than some great hotels.
However, once its anchored, nothing will ever move the ship from its position.
A heavy wind may blow the ship, making it move forward and backward occasionally, but it will never leave its position as long as it remains anchored.
Weights in the life of a Christian are like that anchor.
They hold you down but permit you to move forward and backward, as though you were making progress, but you would really only be stagnant.
This is why so many people wonder why they have been Christians for a very long time without any evidence of their knowledge of Christ.
As long as there are weights in your life, they will always hinder your progress with the Almighty God.
Weights, are not necessarily sin, but are things that, if indulged in can lead you to sin.
They may not be counted as iniquity, but can stop you from making progress.
Weights are the lawful things that, if indulged in without moderation, will hold you back from making progress.
Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27 AMB
« But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service] »
- Sleeping well is good, but it becomes a weight when you sleep too much.
- Eating is good, but it turns into a weight when you become a glutton.
- While it is not a sin to watch television, being addicted to your T.V/computer/phone set will not allow you to make progress spiritually, because the more you feed your flesh, the weaker your spirit becomes.
Whenever I want to fast, I would approach a calendar and look at a date. I would then tell my body “You see that date? From that date, you will not eat again until so and so day”. After this, I would discipline myself to fast.
You must discipline yourself to engage in those spiritual activities that would strengthen you.
Spiritual growth does not come by magic.
If you want to experience real spiritual progress, you must lay aside every weight that could prevent you from achieving that goal even from now.
Application – Get rid of those weights before they get rid of you.
Author – Bishop Enoch Adejare Adeboye; General Overseer of the RCCG
Edited by Naomie Joseph
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