Oh To Be Wise Meditations

What is the goal of temperance? What are the benefits of being sober minded? Paul says, I do all this for the good news, because I want to share in its blessings. You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. I don't run without a goal. And I don't box by beating my fists in the air. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? Surely you know that the men who work in the Temple get their food from the Temple and that those who offer the sacrifices on the altar get a share of the sacrifices. LORD, I must discipline my body, my mind to submit to your will. These untamed passions to the controlling power of Holy Spirit. I do all this so I can share in the blessings of the Gospel. The goal of discipline, of temperance, of sober mindedness, is to know God more in each area of our lives. You are suppose to be transformed by the Gospel message experiencing its blessings every day. Sooner or later whats happening inside you will bear fruit on the outside of you. Your spiritual purity will shine from the inside out, as people see the power of Christ's love in you. A uncontrolled life steals the blessings of the Gospel that you are suppose to see growing in your heart and mind. Part of training your body is disciplining the mind. We cannot live a sluggish life and expect blessings. There is power in the Gospel, but we have to live it out to get it. And that power is a supernatural testimony to God not a bludgeoning tool of condemnation. It is so easy to get proud in your ways and think a prosperity Gospel. No, the blessings are worth more than earthly gain, it is a spiritual gain getting greater knowledge of Christ in that area of your life. You have good health? How has it brought you closer to Jesus? You have big muscles? How has that given you a greater knowledge of him? You have lots of wealth? How has that humbled you in showing you how poor in spirit you are? LORD, the blessings of the Gospel you have made available to us through Holy Spirit. Give me the strength to walk out the new life you have given me. And may I know you more personally in every area you transform and give me victory in. Let me not get self righteous allowing my works to be the evidence of my salvation. No, let it be my close relationship with you, my faith in you that shows you have saved me.

Meditate Romans 13:14

https://biblehub.com/romans/13-14.htm