I haven’t been able to watch any of the Olympics so far because we have no television and do not have much cell service where we are staying in Alaska. I have enough to get and send emails and some news, but that is about it. So I look forward to watching some events when I get home tomorrow. Those who compete and win the various events in the Olympics are a picture of discipline and training. I always enjoy watching people who succeed because of discipline, hard work, and sacrifice. A price needs to be paid if a person is going to be a winner in life. Most people are not willing to pay that price.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Our salvation from an eternity in hell to an eternity in heaven is a free gift, neither earned nor deserved, simply based on faith in Jesus Christ, but the eternal rewards that we receive from Jesus after we enter heaven are earned. They are earned by discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and hard work. The medals that those who win at the Olympics are not eternal, but the ones we win at the judgment seat of Christ are.