Run to Obtain

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

Paul doesn't make it immediately clear what prize he is running to obtain. However, the context of this verse gives us a clue. I'm sure there could be more than one translation of what he's talking about, but I'd like to offer 2 possibilities.

First - the salvation of souls. In the preceding verses, Paul is laying out the extent he's gone to in order to see others come to Christ.

Second - a sincere, authentic Christian life. In the verses following 24, Paul talks about what he does in order to make sure he is not being a hypocrite.

Whether it's one of these, or something else, the point remains - this Christian life is not a walk in the park. It is a race. And we need to figure out what prize we're going for, and then run to win.

What prize am I running for in my Christian life today?