1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24Think about how people run in a race. All the runners run, but only one of them receives the prize. You must run like that, to win the race.

25People who run in races prepare their bodies well. They make themselves work very hard. They do this so that they will win a prize that will quickly become spoiled. But we work hard to receive a prize that will never become spoiled.

26Because of that, I do not run with no purpose. I do not fight like someone who only hits the air.

27I make my body do what I want it to do. I make it like my slave. I have told God's message to other people. I do not want to lose the prize myself. So I try very much to obey the rules of the race.