In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul compares the Christian life to the Isthmian Games which were second only to the Olympic Games during Paul's time. He states that, "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." The wreath Paul refers to is a victor's crown similar to the medals now earned at the Olympic Games. Christians, like athletes, are motivated to work hard toward a goal. We train for godliness. While the goal for the athlete was to win a crown, or, for modern times, a medal at the Olympics, the goal of the Christian is to live in such a way on this earth that we are ready and eager for our eternal prize and home.
Part of being an athlete is having the ability to endure and not give in. We are saved by grace, through faith, and are eternally secure in Jesus' hand (Ephesians 2:8–10; John 6:39–40). Yet we are also called to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12–13). Salvation is a work of God, but it is a transformational work that ushers us into a new life in which we are called upon to stand firm and endure (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 16:13). We remain faithful in the midst of trial (John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12–13). We stand against the schemes of the Devil (Ephesians 6:10–18; 1 John 3:16–18; James 4:7–8). We battle against our own sinfulness (Colossians 3:5–17). We press on in doing good works out of love (Galatians 6:7–10). In 1 Timothy 6:18–19 Paul instructs the rich not to be haughty or strive for riches but, "to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." As athletes spend themselves toward the goal of Olympics medals, Christians spend themselves with the understanding that our prize is heavenly. It is love for our Lord Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in us that give us both the desire and ability to keep the eternal goal in mind and lay up our treasures in heaven.
Let the Olympic Games serve as a reminder to refocus our minds on the eternal goal of storing our rewards in heaven, and let that goal drive us to be more self-controlled. May this goal-oriented thinking and self-control stem from our love for Jesus. Let us, like Paul, be able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).