ATTITUDES FOR GODLY DEVELOPMENT: “RUNNING WITH PURPOSE”

• If someone claims to be a Christian, they should live like one. But a Christian must accept the reality of the civil war among desires.
• Galatians 5:17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
• Our future will be determined by our . Our are so powerful that they shape our future story.
• Deciding to be a disciplined person in one’s attitudes for spiritual is a story of future joy and depth.
• “Private decisions typically never stay private.” 

“Now more than ever, one moment can destroy —-in one day your life’s work. The essential virtue: self-control. You can have all the talent in the world, and draw a ton of attention for it, but if your ability is not matched by strong character, you are in a precarious place.” Owen Strachan

• There are no to spiritual maturity and growth.
• Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

• 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
• Verse 25: “disciplined in their training.” That means keeping one’s emotions, impulses, and desires under .
• What motivates an athlete to be self-controlled, form disciplined habits, and stay focused?
• There’s nothing wrong with winning a race, but there is something far greater than striving for what’s .
• Mark 8:36-37 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul?
• 2 Timothy 4:8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
• 1 Peter 1:4 And we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 
• The prize for winning the gospel race is with God.
• Philippians 3:14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

• 2 Timothy 4:6-8 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
• 1 Corinthians 9:27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
• Paul did not want to spend his life preaching the requirements to others while to meet them.

It’s crowded around the starting line of the race, but not at the finish line.

• Do you want to finish the race for Christ well?  your focus.
• Do you want to run with purpose?  anything that hinders you.
• Do you want to be closer to Jesus? is the pathway.
• How do we run with purpose? By pursuing godly attitudes by our eyes on the One who will return for us one day.
• Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

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