Strive For The Work Of God | The Institute for Creation Research

Strive For The Work Of God

"Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" (I Corinthians 9:25).

Paul reminds us that his service and work for God was like the Olympic tryout races held in Corinth. The Greek word "striveth" in our text is agonizomai, which could be translated "agonize," emphasizing the unusual athletic significance of the meaning of this word. It is used elsewhere in the New Testament to illustrate the single-minded objective we should have in our walk and ministry with God.

Jesus, in Luke 13:24, challenged people to "Strive |agonize| to enter in at the straight gate." In the matter of our salvation, we should be certain in our conviction. Paul said to "work out your own salvation" (Philippians 2:12) and its total application to every part of life. Paul also wrote of his desire to "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:28), "striving |agonizing| according to His working" (v. 29). The ministry to obtain spiritually mature disciples, Paul implies, is like an athletic competition.

Paul also wrote of laboring or striving |agonizing| with fellow Christians in prayer (Colossians 4:12; Romans 15:30).

Jude challenges us to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3) against apostasy. The Greek word epagonizomai in this verse has a prefix attached to our word, emphasizing the earnestness of our agony in this matter.

Thus, there are four things for which Christians should strive |agonize|: (1) our salvation being worked out in our lives; (2) our ministry, which should yield spiritually complete Christians; (3) our prayers with and for other Christians; and (4) our faith. Athletes strive for a medal or wreath: We strive for an incorruptible crown! SAA

The Latest
NEWS
April 2025 ICR Wallpaper
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things...

NEWS
Human Evolution and the Inner Ear
The vain attempt by evolutionists to make an evolutionary connection between people and ape-like ancestors continues. This time, it is in regard to...

CREATION PODCAST
Defending the Faith with a Rocket Scientist | Creation.Live Podcast:...
How do engineering principles, biological complexity, and a solid understanding of apologetics work together to further the cause of Christ? Why...

NEWS
Aerobic and Anaerobic Hot Spring Bacteria
God designed a domain of prokaryotes called Archaea that thrive in harsh and extreme environments. In 1969, two microbiologists, Thomas Brock and Hudson...

CREATION PODCAST
The Soulless Hominid Theory: A Fatal Flaw in Old Earth Creationism...
Welcome to the second episode in a series called “The Failures of Old Earth Creationism.” Many Christians attempt to fit...

NEWS
Humpback Whale Calls Echo Creation
There is nothing simple about the system of communication called language, whether animal or human.1 Human language is a very sophisticated...

NEWS
Mary Parker, Creation Ministry Partner of Dr. Gary Parker, Is...
Mary Parker, the wife and co-laborer of Dr. Gary Parker, went home to be with her Lord on March 20, 2025. Dr. Parker was a popular and effective...

NEWS
Plants Rely on Quantum Mechanics
Scientists will probably never fully understand photosynthesis as additional research uncovers even more fascinating mysteries.1,2 ICR’s...

NEWS
Martian Polar Ice Cap ''Surprisingly Young''?
A team of German planetary scientists has concluded that a three-kilometer-thick northern polar ice cap on Mars has a “surprisingly young”...

NEWS
''Blood Worm Moon'' Total Lunar Eclipse 2025
Barring cloud cover, about 75% of the country saw the total lunar eclipse, aka the “Blood Worm Moon.” Texas had good weather conditions...