Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
1 Corinthians 9:25

In a battle between the Warriors and Cavaliers during NBA Finals 2016,we will see that the players of both teams were willing to give what it takes to win the NBA Finals Trophy and to be declared the Champion. To do so, players need to go through extensive training, practices, exercise and focus on the goal like their life depended on it.

Players like Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers – both famous representatives of their teams, are no exception to the rigorous discipline they take on to attain that NBA Crown.

And so must it be with every believer and follower of Jesus Christ. While salvation has been freely given to us by grace, Paul urges to strive and train hard to win a crown that will last forever.

Getting through difficult situations, trials and sufferings; resisting temptations and the lures of this world; persecution; reaching the lost – these and many more are things that every Christian must endure. These and many more are things that will one day, mold and shape us and eventually earn us that imperishable crown.

Daily feeding on God’s Word, fellowship, prayer, worship and sharing the Gospel are staples for every Christian’s spiritual nourishment.   With these, we can look forward to the crown that God has promised us. A crown that will be given to us when this game of life ends. A crown incomparable to anything we can attain in this world.

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Written By: Ernan Villorente, worship leader, youth leader, SAVED Ministries volunteer. He is passionate to praise and worship God through music.