Dealing with Christian liberty

Commentary

Paul continues to deal with the subject of Christian liberty as he uses the illustration of an athlete.  The Corinthians would have been very familiar with the Greek Olympic games as well as their Isthmian games. He says that one of the most important rules in a race is that all participants run but only one receives the prize (v.24). In the Christian life, all can win an incorruptible crown, while in an earthly contest the prize is merely “a corruptible crown.” (v. 25)
An athlete must be disciplined if he is to win the prize. If he intends to win the crown, he restricts himself in all things: his diet, his activities, his associations, and probably even his friendships.  He abstains from all practices which might hinder him from winning the race, even though these things might be harmless in themselves. 
One day every believer will stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ. We will receive a crown if we have disciplined our bodies to serve the Lord and win the lost to Christ. This means keeping our bodies under control and our eyes on the goal. The thing that Paul feared most was that he might get into such a spiritual condition that he would lose the reward that he so much desired of the Lord Jesus Christ. (v. 27) 
This passage can be summarized as follows: 
1. This race of life is a battle.
2. To win the battle the race demands discipline.
3. We need to keep our eye on the goal and not look at others in the grandstands.
4. We need to know the value of our goal, which is pleasing Christ.
5. We cannot serve others until we have mastered ourselves.

Application

My desire is that I will be disciplined in my life to the point that I will never stray off course to the very end. My prayer is that I might finish well.