Paul said to the saints and is saying to us in 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT2), “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” Paul wants you to know that you are in this Christian race to win in life, to win your crown, to win your prize. So you must run your race to win! That means you cannot give up, quitting is not an option, for you are “In It to WIN It!” According to Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NKJV), “The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong…” Jesus said, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”- Matthew 24:13 (KJV). In other words, he that finishes the race, is a winner, so run your race to win!
Paul is really saying, don’t look at the next runner. Don’t measure your success or failure by the next runner. Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) said, “Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who, himself,for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus finished His race well! He ran to win! Jesus is the beginning and the end of your faith journey, of your race. When you look to him you are going to win!
The Prize is in Christ Jesus. The Victory is in Christ Jesus. Paul said, “I am in it to win it!” I press toward the mark of the prize of a higher calling of God in Christ Jesus! Confession: Lord Jesus, thank you for being the author and finisher of my faith journey, my race! Thank you for being the prize of the higher calling of God. And since the prize is in you, and I am in you, I am in it to win it! I will not give up! I will not lose heart! Quitting is not an option! I run to win, I am a winner! In Jesus name I pray this prayer. I decree and declare this prayer. Amen!