The Castaway - 1 Cor 9

 

The Castaway     1 Cor 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Cor 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Cor 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:   We must be convinced; be in Christ, know his word and promises, or we are faking it. The devil has clever people who will convince you to turn away from Christ Jesus, if we are not established on the Solid Rock. Can you spot a phony?   Isa 32:6   Everyone will recognize ungodly fools for what they are. They spread lies about the Lord; they deprive the hungry of food and give no water to the thirsty. Isa 32:7   The smooth tricks of evil people will be exposed, including all the lies they use to oppress the poor in the courts.   Some are very smooth, so we must know what we believe.   1 Cor 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. We can be a castaway by having a double mind, seeking the lusts of this world instead of the things of God. We can be a castaway by listening to false teachers who are very clever and subtle. 2 Tim 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 Tim 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2 Tim 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 2 Tim 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2 Tim 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Tim 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 2 Tim 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Are you a disciple who has given up all for the high calling in Christ Jesus? Or are you setting your affections on worldly things and fleshly comforts? Keep your eyes on Jesus. Look to him, hear his voice and follow. Do not follow the forked tongue of a false teacher. Know who you believe and finish the race. The ultimate castaway is he who has rejected the Lord for another false Jesus. They will be castaway by Jesus at his coming. Hold fast to sound doctrine. Stand fast in the Lord and run to finish the race. If you have sin, confess it, forgive others and keep your eyes on Jesus who waits for you at the finish line.