Do Not Run Aimlessly

 

God’s grace, peace and mercy be with you. … My focus is 1^st Corinthians, where we read, “I do not run aimlessly.”

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, the psalmist wrote, “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”[1] Now that our feet are within your gates, we rejoice to hear your Word. As we listen, may your Spirit enlighten our minds and move our hearts to love deeply as Jesus loved. This we pray to you, Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

Docs and Jocks, or physicians and athletes are two of America’s most prestigious professions.[2] Docs and jocks make great sacrifices and express great satisfaction. Few athletes become physicians, but some have, including speed skater Eric Heiden, softballer Dot Richardson and figure skater Debi Thomas.[3]

Transitioning from athlete to physician is like Paul becoming “all things to all people.”[4] Transitions require sacrifice and self-control, traits found especially in athletes who become physicians. As I examine Corinthians, I sandwich Paul’s words with those of a physician and an athlete.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul laments his lack of respect. Respect. Aretha Franklin sang about it. Rodney Dangerfield got none of it. Paul the Apostle demanded it.

We respect physicians because of what they do for us. My friend, Dr. Bill Katz, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director of Echocardiography at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, told me that it is easy to be impressed by healing physical ailments because they are tangible. After all, he says, “My work as a physician is to treat a physical ailment to improve a sense of well-being and when possible prolong someone’s life.”

Prolong someone’s life. That deserves respect. Improve someone’s well-being. Deserves respect. Treat someone’s physical ailments. Deserves respect.

He also believes, “Jesus is the ultimate physician who heals souls for the attainment of eternal life. It is easier to be impressed by healing physical ailments because they are tangible compared to forgiving someone’s sins, but which is really more important?”

Which is more important? Do you pay more respect to someone who prolongs your life by treating physical ailments or to someone who forgives sins? Do you pay more respect to a physician or an evangelist? One who delivers bad and good news or one who brings only Good News?

In the early church, Christians respected Apostles because they brought Good News, the Gospel, forgiveness of sins and eternal life through Christ. Yet, Paul bemoaned those Corinthians who saw him as the Rodney Dangerfield of the Apostles. Why? Our answer lies in chapter 9’s earlier verses.

Paul labored in Corinth for 18 months, and God blessed his work. He planted the Word. His companion, Apollos, watered, and God gave the growth.[5] Without a doubt, Corinthians were Paul’s pride and joy.[6]

Yet, some divisive members questioned if Paul was a genuine apostle. Wealthier members contended he refused financial support because he could not receive it with a good conscience. In fact, Paul offended those wealthy members by sacrificing his right to financial support. Offended, they lobbied against him and gave him no respect.

As 1^st century Greek intellectuals who despised manual labor, they said, “True apostles devote themselves to their ministry full-time and do not support themselves as tentmakers.”

Paul responded by pointing to the Pentateuch principle that stated, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.”[7] The text, broadly understood, meant the worker should live in confident expectation that his labor would be rewarded.[8]

Peter, Apollos and others received support, but Paul surrendered his right to financial support because he wanted the Corinthians to be absolutely certain that the free Gospel of God’s grace was just that – free. They could do nothing to earn or buy God’s grace. Hence, Paul delivered Good News free of charge.[9]

By taking no fee for the Gospel, Paul saw himself as the Corinthians’ slave for Jesus’ sake.[10] His humble approach aimed to win as many as possible for the Gospel, be they Jews, those under or outside the Law, or the weak. That was his goal.

To win as many people as possible for the Gospel, Paul did not run aimlessly. Even if he got no respect, he ran not to show or place, but to win.

Like a physician, Paul used a mirror to show the Corinthians their sin (Law), and he showed them Christ who freely forgave their sin (Gospel).

Like Paul, my doctor administers a series of tests. He shows me my sin. I eat too much fat, sugar and salt. I do not drink enough water or exercise vigorously. He then prescribes medication and advice on diet and exercise. Yet, if I keep every healthy commandment, I will not escape death, the punishment of sin. My doctor can treat my physical ailments to improve my well-being and prolong my life, but outside of Christ, he cannot prescribe anything for eternal life.

Employing the analogy of athletic competition with which Corinthians were familiar, Paul prescribed they exercise self-control.[11] Self-control is not an exercise of the Law, but a fruit of the Spirit. Every Christian should pray to the Holy Spirit not only for the fruit of self-control but also that he may exercise it.[12]

Second Peter reaffirmed this thought. We read, “Supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control.”[13]

Self-control or discipline empowered the runner to win a crown, a wreath. This perishable wreath brought prestige, fame and fortune that inspired athletes to run with purpose. Paul encouraged Christians to run for the crown of life, and to be faithful to Christ until death. Paul inspired Christians to live with the self-control of athletes pursuing a prize. His goal was to get as many people as possible to live like disciplined athletes.

To accomplish his goal, Paul encouraged Christians to give up whatever did not advance the Gospel. As we heard last week, Paul instructed Christians to surrender eating certain foods if their actions wounded the consciences of their weak brothers and sisters. Furthermore, he exhorted Christians to place their bodies at God’s disposal as a living sacrifice devoted to winning others for the Gospel.

Paul practiced self-control rather than self-indulgence, which would have endangered not only others’ salvation, but also his, because people could have said, “This man preaches self-control but practices self-indulgence.” The implication for the Corinthians was obvious. If they ceased to exercise self-control, they could forfeit their salvation. But if they relied upon the power of the Holy Spirit to restrain their sinful nature and put self-indulgence to death, they could live for God then and in eternity.[14]

My brothers and sisters, if we rely upon the power of the Spirit and live for God, we too will live in eternity. Let us keep that in mind as I borrow a few words from an athlete.

In our culture, respect for athletes and physicians runs so deep that many parents encourage their sons and daughters to enter these professions. When they see a glimmer of athletic prowess, they offer encouragement, enroll them in clinics, hire private coaches, and spend countless hours and dollars to win a perishable crown hoping their offspring will gain fame and fortune.

My stepdaughter, Jennifer Gregg, once a champion athlete and now a successful corporate attorney in Chicago, disciplined herself to win a championship. Back in the day, she was Jen Gardner, a member of the UCLA Bruins that won an NCAA Softball Championship. I asked Jen to comment on discipline and dedication in order to win that championship. She writes:

Dedication in sports has many components. To be dedicated to your sport means to be 100% committed to the sport, but also everything that you do outside the sport. … I had to be dedicated at school. If I didn't pass my classes, I couldn't play my sport. I had to be dedicated to my body. I had to do stretching and strength training and take care of my body so I wouldn't get hurt.

When you are committed to a sport, you sacrifice and dedicate your time. In high school, I didn't participate in a lot of social activities, such as going to the prom or parties; instead, I studied or practiced.

The time commitment in college sports was incredible. I had strength training from 6-7:15am, class from 8-12, practice from 1:30-4:30, study hall from 6-8pm – every day of the week in the off-season. Plus, we'd squeeze in conditioning a few days a week.

Then there’s the physical and mental exhaustion of dealing with that rigorous schedule. During the season, we left campus on Wednesday or Thursday and returned on Sunday. I'd study in the hotel, take tests on the road, and miss a lot of classes.

As an athlete, if you're not giving 100% of your effort, 100% of the time, you're not truly dedicated. This doesn't mean you are always expected to go all out, every time. If I'm sick, and only have 60% of myself to give, then I better make sure I'm giving 100% of my 60%.

My parents spent hours driving me to practice, working with me on skills, traveling to my games, and so on. Their commitment of time and money in order to allow me to play on the most competitive teams year-long was incredible. They sacrificed vacations, trips, camping and more for me to practice and play softball every weekend of the year. I don't think they saw this as a sacrifice because it was something they enjoyed and loved being a part of.

I ask you: Are you willing to sacrifice vacations, trips, and more so that your son, daughter or grandchildren can win an athletic scholarship? Are you willing to sacrifice your social life, activities and body to win a championship? Are you willing to spend thousands of dollars and countless hours on coaching and clinics to gain fame, fortune and a perishable crown? I believe you are … That’s not a bad thing. I applaud parents and individuals who choose to succeed as athletes or physicians. I wish you success and happiness.

On the greater plane, I pray for your salvation through Jesus Christ. Again, I ask: Are you willing to sacrifice vacations, trips, and more so that your son, daughter or grandchildren can win the crown of life? Are you willing to sacrifice your social life, activities and body to win as many as possible for the Gospel? Are you willing to spend thousands of dollars and countless hours in prayer and self-sacrificing acts of loving kindness to gain unbelievers for Christ? I hope you are.

When people win championships and perishable crowns, they feel exuberant. They cannot even describe their feelings. Imagine the indescribable feeling you will experience when you run and win for Christ!

Dedicate as much time and energy to the Gospel as Jen did to softball. Give 100% to God and neighbor 100% of the time. Express your faith through love. If necessary, suffer for the Gospel. Emulate Paul who practiced self-control for the sake of the Gospel.

I close with a quote from my friend, Dr. Katz. “Ironically, Jesus healed us by allowing his body to be given up on the cross. This makes no sense to the nonbelievers of this world. Jesus’ passion and dying on the cross leads to the forgiveness of our sins and our salvation for eternity. What we have to do is come to Him with our broken bodies and souls and he will heal us.”

Friends, offer God your broken bodies and souls. Christ will heal you through his broken body on the cross. Pray to the Holy Spirit for the grace to exercise self-control, and God will give you what you need. Dedicate yourself to winning as many people as possible for Christ. …  When you do that, the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.[15] Amen.

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[1] Psalm 122

[2] Doctors, Military Officers, Firefighters, and Scientists Seen as Among America's Most Prestigious Occupations (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/mid/1508/articleId/1490/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/Default.aspx); Top 10: Most Respected Professions (http://www.askmen.com/top_10/entertainment/top-10-most-respected-professions.html)

[3] Ray E. Aquitania MD, Jock-Docs: World-Class Athletes Wearing White Coats. Bradenton, FL: Booklocker (2010).

[4] 1 Corinthians 9:22

[5] 1 Corinthians 3:6

[6] Gregory J. Lockwood, 1 Corinthians. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House (2000), 293.

[7] Deuteronomy 25:4.

[8] Lockwood, 301. See also 1 Timothy 5:17-18.

[9] Lockwood, 301.

[10] 2 Corinthians 4:5

[11] 1 Corinthians 9:25

[12] Lockwood, 318. See Galatians 5:22-26.

[13] 2 Peter 1:5

[14] Lockwood, 319-320.

[15] Philippians 4:7