Passion and Purity's The Record- Go Sports is a sober and enlightening reflection of the intricate relationship between sport and faith in God! It is about running and winning the race of life.
For many, engaging a sporting activity is about winning and losing. But for the Christian sportsman or sportswoman, it is about so much more. It is about finishing the race that God has laid out for them, the race of life. It is about running with a purpose that goes beyond the scoreboard. This purpose comes from Jesus Christ.
God has given all of us time, chance and space to fulfill the purpose for which He created us. Life can be compared to a race. Winning the race of life means we fulfill the purpose for which we were set to run by our Creator. This includes allowing ourselves to be developed intellectually, spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically and sexually according to God’s will.
“And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” --2 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)
As it is in the natural so it is in the spiritual realm, there are rules for every race. Winning the race of life, means running with passion, purity and purpose. This is the way our loving God and Father has ordained for us to live lives that have eternal value and significance, enable us to effectively serve His purpose in our generation and leave footprints for the next generation to follow.
A race and a fight with a different goal
Photo by jcomp
The world tells us that winning first place is everything. It says that if you do not win, you have failed. This can make sports feel empty. It can burn you out. But the Bible gives us a different picture.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: --2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)
These words come from Paul’s final letter to Timothy, a profoundly personal and enduring message to the early church. The Apostle Paul said he finished, He kept the faith. This race is also a fight. The Finishing of this race and keeping the faith is only possible through God's power—this divine strength and authority enables perseverance and are the authentic sources of spiritual victory and endurance.
We fight and win by resting and believing in the victory of Jesus Christ. It is as we obey and submit to Him that we win. This fight is to believe on Jesus Christ and obey Him. When we do, we share in the unstoppable and eternal victory of Jesus Christ, the all-time undisputed, undefeated champion of love. Now that is the goal of this fight.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”- John 6:29 (KJV)
For us, this means our primary goal in sports is not just to win. The finish line in the race of faith is more than just a moment—it’s the culmination of a life spent believing God, walking in the obedience and staying true to the calling God has placed on your heart.
For believers today, reaching this point is not about how easy the journey was, but about how faithfully you ran. The goal is to hear God say “well done.”
Our goal in this race and fight is to honor God with our attitude and obedience. It is about running the race set before us in such a way that honors and pleases God. It is about finishing the race with character. When you play for God and play God’s way, every practice and every game has eternal value and significance.
The purpose for entering the race is not simply to finish, but to finish well as a believer—who fights the good fight, keeps the faith and finishes the course. This is a call to perseverance, to preparation, and to a life that reflects the righteousness obtained through faith in Christ.
Your Body
– God's Temple
Photo by garetsvisual
If you have surrendered your life to life to God, your body is His temple. He wants you to use it for His glory and honour.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, uand you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body 7and in your spirit, which are God’s. --1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NJKV)
Running the race of life means taking care of our body, which are created to be the temple of God. This happens when we choose to receive salvation. Apart from preserving one’s body sexually pure we must eat healthy, rest well, exercise to aids proper circulation and promotes good breathing and practice good hygiene. This is most important as it preserves our body and prevents diseases.
The Bible gives us a great reason to take care of our bodies. Training is tough. Sometimes, you may not feel like working out. However, when you see your body as a gift from God, training changes; you are not just building muscle to look good or win. You are taking care of God’s temple. You are honoring God with the strength He gave you. This mindset keeps you going when you are tired. Even when you feel faint or tempted to fail, you rely on God's power to fulfill the purpose for which you have received your calling. It helps you in finishing the race of daily training, so that at the end you can say you have completed the course and fulfilled God's purpose for your life.
Playing for the audience of One
It is easy to play for the crowd's cheers. When we focus on what others think, we lose our joy. Our performance becomes tied to their opinions. But the Bible reminds us who we are really playing for.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; --Colossians 3:23 (KJV)
You are playing for God. He is your audience. When you step onto the field or the court, you are performing for Him. This takes the pressure off. You do not have to be the star player to make God proud. He is pleased when you give your best effort with a good heart. Your actions on the field testify to your faith and reflect the image of Christ to those watching. Whether you score the winning point or sit on the bench, you can honor Him. This truth brings freedom and renews your passion. It helps you focus on finishing the race for Him alone.
Playing for an audience of one teaches valuable lessons about humility, perseverance, and living out your faith regardless of circumstances.
The Record, Go Sports!
Sports is a gift from God. Each sport teaches us about discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. When we play with, in and for Christ our play has eternal value and significance and our rewards are eternal.
The Record is that Eternal Life is in the Son, God’s son Jesus Christ- 1 John 5:11-12. When we run in Jesus Christ we win the race of life.
And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. --1 John 5:11-12 (KJV)
We learn that finishing the race in the way that honors God brings us into the most significant victory of all. We join the company of those who have been winners over the years.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who 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.”- Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)
There is a race that is set for everyone that God has permitted to be born into the world. We are given a certain amount of time to run this race. Winners in the race of life, from God’s perspective, are not necessarily those who finish first. Each person who runs in the race of this life in Christ can be a winner.
Finishing the Christian race requires that we first begin the race or, get on the course, that we play by the rules. Finishing strong is to finish in the timing of God with godly character on display.
Are you ready to take your sports journey deeper? If you are not yet running by the rules that Christ the Master Sportsman has set, it is not too late. He wants to recruit you today just open your heart to Him.
Everyone get on board and get to know more about what Passion and Purity The Record- Go Sports! has to share with you.