Daily Devotional – Wednesday, December 7, 2022
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
1 Corinthians 9:25 (KJV)
A key prerequisite for excellence is striving for mastery in a chosen field of study or practice. The best athletes follow strict training, lifestyle and diet routines. They are usually the first to arrive at the training field and the last to leave.
Endeavouring to Excel
The best musicians spend countless hours practicing. Their failure rate is almost the same as their success rate. Some of their compositions only attract criticism and ridicule. However, as they persist and keep practicing, they attain mastery in their craft.
In academia, “A master’s degree is an academic qualification granted at the postgraduate level to individuals who have successfully undergone study demonstrating a high level of expertise in a specific field of study or area of professional practice.” (Topuniversities.com).
Struggling to Achieve
In spiritual matters, too, the concept of mastery is critical. While comparing the spiritual journey to a race, Apostle Paul writes, “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 Corinthians 9:25).
Paul envisions an active and determined Christian practice. To him, a Christian must be deliberate, consistent and diligent to reach out for the crown of life. Accepting Jesus as personal Saviour and Lord is the beginning of a tough spiritual battle.
Reaching out for the Prize
Unlike popular theology that teaches Christians to remain passive and complacent once they are saved, Paul urges for vigilance and active participation in the battle against the powers of darkness (Read Ephesians 6).
What does striving for mastery in the spiritual realm entail? It requires a deep and active relationship with Jesus through prayer, Bible study, meditating on scripture, self-denial, witnessing and kindness towards others.
Striving for Mastery
If our spiritual journey were just a matter of believing and floating to heaven, scripture would not require of us mastery and self-discipline. As Jesus stated in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Thankfully, Jesus gives us the power to overcome if we ask Him for it.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, imbue and inundate me that I may strive for mastery in all aspects of my life, and especially in the spiritual realm.
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Amen….The point of a competition is to win, and for us to win we must be willing to make some sacrifices, painstaking efforts and high level of discipline to obtain the price.
As christians we must seek this with all the dedication of an athlete who knows only one person can win the crown.
Well-stated, Doc. Salvation is not cheap.