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24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25. And every man that striveth for mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be castaway.1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul addresses those at Corinth that as those who run a race run for a prize. And the race only has one winner. And that prize in his day was a crown made from pine branches, and it would eventually rot. Paul explains we are in a race, a lifelong endurance race against Satan. All are in the race, but not all will receive the reward. Which is eternal life in Christ. Now as the athlete trains the body to compete, we are training this flesh to conform to the Spirit. Paul adds that he is not shadow boxing, but is in a battle against sin. He has put his flesh under subjection to the Spirit of God. Separating himself from the world and sin. So that when he preached Christ to sinners, he would not be found sining like them. And when the time came to receive his reward he was found guilty and castaway with the transgressors. So we must walk in the Spirit and not in the carnal nature. Obedience to God has an eternal reward. Amen.