ESOCS Devotional 24 February 2026 -Run to Win
MEMORY VERSE: “”Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24(KJV)
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:15-END
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?
8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?
Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may [i]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
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We are saved by grace through faith in Christ; and once we are born again, we are to live our Christian life in a manner that is worthy of our position in Him. Paul often uses images of an athlete to illustrate the way that we are to live the Christian life.
Just as athletes are temperate in all things, Christians must have strict self-control and deny themselves in order to be more useful to God. A runner has a goal and a finish line. Similarly, believers are called to have a clear purpose in their lives, not just to exist. The race is long and difficult, and it is easy to get tired and want to quit. The Scripture encourages believers to keep running, endure through trials, and never give up. We are not to live our Christian life in a half-hearted manner, but rather we are to give it our all, because a great reward awaits those who persevere.
The prize is not earned through merit, but is a free gift from God for those who run faithfully. Even though salvation is a gift, living a Christian life requires effort, self-discipline, and a determined pursuit of righteousness, as a way of honoring God and reaching the goal He has set for us. We can run the race in a bed of sickness or at the kitchen sink. We can run to win at the office or at the supermarket, for the promised prize is for all who live godly in Christ Jesus and who conduct their Christian life in spirit and in truth. We are to be faithful to the point of death, and stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His might. We are to be disciplined in our lives, exercise self-control, and consider the needs of others before our own.
When we run to win, we must be willing to give up even good or lawful things if they could be a stumbling block or hinder your relationship with Christ. Do not give up when you feel weary. Seek support if you are struggling, and get back on the track, knowing that God is faithful to help you.
We are to endure patiently through our trials, rejoicing in the Lord always, praying continually, and in everything giving thanks, for this is the will of God for all who are running the Christian race. Let us run to obtain the reward; let us run to win.
Reflections
- How does your lifestyle reflect your readiness for the crown of glory?
Prayer
- Lord Jesus, lead me that I may conduct my Christian life in the power of your Holy Spirit.
Further Reading: Isaiah 48:1-11; Amos 3 8 – End; Luke 7:24-35
ESOCS Devotional 24 February 2026
