Boxing Tips From Paul

I am in the middle of my second cycle of chemotherapy as I write this latest addition to my blog.  Today, I felt like putting on boxing gloves and landing a hard upper cut on my opponent, breast cancer.  Two of my high school classmates reminded me on Facebook today of our old High School track coach, Neil Morgan who was a tough, but fair drill Sargent.  They encouraged me by saying chemo is nothing like those brutal training sessions we experienced back in the day.  This is interesting, because I was reading 1 Corinthians 9: 26-27.  “Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly, I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”.  Then, later in Timothy 6:12 I read, “Fight the good fight of the faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses”. God’s timing is so perfect!  I really needed to hear these words today.       

The Apostle Paul here is using the example of a runner and a boxer to represent the Christian life.  God does not want his children to aimlessly go through life, like a boxer swinging in the air.  God wants us to discipline our bodies and minds in a way that honors Christ.  Paul was addressing the baby church of Corinth, where people were counting on some special experience - namely, baptism and the Lord's Supper - to save them. They looked upon these things not only as signs that they were "in" the Christian race, but they believed these experiences guaranteed they could earn their salvation. 

Many people today have this same outlook. They look back to the fact that they were baptized or "confirmed" at some point in their life. They look back to a time when they felt broken or ashamed over something in their life.  In the midst of that shame, they cried out to God. For another, nostalgia draws them back to a meeting they once attended where they were asked to raise their hand and say a prayer to invite Jesus into their heart.   Being a Christian is not merely something that happens to you, it is something that happens in you. I have run my fair share of races in my younger years.  I understand that merely being in a race doesn’t guarantee you will win, nor even finish strong.  Paul tells the Corinthians to exercise self-control and to run like a person who intends to win. The prize given to athletes in Corinth was a crown made of laurel leaves.  It was a perishable prize. The reward given to a Christian however is eternal life and it will never perish.  

The question I pose to myself and to you dear brother and sister, is how are you running the race today?  I am going through the greatest battle of my life.  Breast Cancer is the struggle I have been handed at present.  I don’t want to be swinging my fists aimlessly at the air.  When I fall, I intend to get up and finish the race strong.  I still struggle with sin and I want to glorify God, but some days it is hard.  Continuing in the struggle is where faith and grace play a huge part.  No matter how much my body takes a beating or how easily I get discouraged, this boxer plans to plant her feet firmly in the gospel.  I have no intention of winning second place.  I trust in my salvation and I know where my future prize lies.  I believe Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah who paid to God the price of my sins through the blood he sacrificed on the cross.  He died and rose in resurrected glory three days later, just as the old prophesies said he would (Isaiah 9:6-7; Ezekiel 37:1-14) This is what ignites my faith and encourages every stride I take in the race. Not even cancer or the prospect of my untimely death can dampen my spirit and the thrill of winning this eternal prize.

With unfailing determination, we must run in order to receive a “crown of righteousness which the LORD, the righteous judge, will award…on that day” (2Timothy 4:8).  God has challenged me to proclaim His truth when he called me into the role as Teaching Director for our local Community Bible Study in Collegeville, Pa.  I intend to serve Him until I can longer fill my lungs with breath, then He he will place the imperishable crown upon my head.  I will share the gospel, the way to eternal life through Christ with anyone who will listen (or not).  It is the only good news one can cling to for hope in times of trial.  God's children are precious to Him and He never leaves your side.   I will continue to fight my battle, but I will also give Him glory, saying, “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57) It may be my fight, but it is for His glory!