Page 72 - Personal Spiritual Life Syllabus w videos

26
perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the
27
air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should
be disqualified.

Again, Paul uses the metaphor of a race to help us understand that our life has a start and a finish, and
that we must be diligent in running so as not to disqualify ourselves in any way.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth

8
there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me
on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul tells us about a man named Demus who deserted him and Paul tells us why:
because he loved this world. The lures of the world, the riches and things it had to offer, caused Demus
to leave the path and journey down another road. Obviously, Paul warned us in Hebrews 12:1 that
every believer is susceptible to altering their course if they take their eyes off Christ.

4. God promises special rewards to those who are faithful. But he also promises a LOSS of reward to
those who stray from the path. Check out these verses:

I Corinthians 3: 12-15 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood,
hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be
13
14
revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has
15
built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer
loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Gold, silver, and precious stones do not burn up when placed on a fire. They endure the heat. But
wood, hay and straw burn up instantly and are gone. The Bible clearly says that someday we will be
judged based on our works. And the quality of our works will determine what reward we will receive.
If we are faithfully serving the Lord and accomplishing His plan for our lives, bringing Him glory, we will
receive eternal rewards at that judgment. But if we get sidetracked in our journey by the lures of this
world or by walking in sin, we will suffer the loss of rewards.

So what are some things that can lure us away from the path? Here are a few:

1. Wasting time. God gives you only so much time during your life journey. You will be accountable to
God with what you do with it. You can waste it by occupying your time with frivolous activities or you
can use you time on activities that do not really count for much. I know of a man who collects antique
cars. He has dozens of them. He buys old cars, fixes them up, and then puts them in his large garage.
He’s been doing this for over 40 years. Can you imagine, on judgment day, what value those cars will
have or the time he spent on collecting them? Here is a tip: invest you time on activities that will count
for ETERNITY.

2. Wasting our Resources. God supplies all our needs and sometimes He supplies more than we need.
What should we do with the excess? Should we buy more “things” to make our lives more comfortable?
God wants to meet the needs of others by giving you extra so that you can give it to them. He is looking
for those who would be willing to be a “channel” of blessing. He wants to give you extra so you will
send it on to those praying to have their needs met. You can mess up the whole process when you take
the extra God gives you and use it for yourself.

71