Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 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. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I Corinthians 9:24-27 (New International Version, NIV)

Paul says to run our race by three things: determination, discipline, and drive. As we do, it helps us to run and stay on course to finish the race. If not, we may as well ditch the whole thing.

• Determination: Having a fixed purpose and sticking to it.

• Discipline: Strictness, control, training, organization. Plan your work and work your plan.

• Drive: To move by force or complusion. Be driven and dedicated to obtaining the prize.

Determination sets its sights on the prize. Discipline prepares us and keeps us focused. Drive pushes us to get there. Any time we want to set and attain a goal, we must determine what we want and how we will achieve our desired result. We must then be disciplined and keep driving towards the goal.

Paul tells us that to obtain a crown that is temporal, men will go into strict and rigorous training. We too must go into training to obtain an eternal and lasting crown. Paul mentions that they are targeted in their actions in order to win. We cannot be aimless or unfocused in our desire to finish our race for Christ. If we are aimless in our running or act like a boxer who is shadow boxing all the time, we won’t accomplish much. We cannot waste our time on unproductive things. We are to fight the good fight of faith and run the race God has called us to. We cannot spend time fighting fights God has not called us to. We have to drive to stay on-task and remain disciplined to meet the determined goal.

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; I Thessalonians 4:4 (KJV)

We are told to possess our vessel, or our body. We are to manage and control our bodies and our lives.

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I Corinthians 9:27 (KJV)

Paul’s spirit man kept his body under subjection, or brought it under the will of the master. Our spirits are to be the master over our souls and bodies, not the other way around. By the power of the Holy Spirit with God’s Word, our spirit man becomes strong and is master over our soul and flesh. When our three parts are in proper alignment, we are living in what we could call 3-D: Determination, Discipline, and Drive. We determine what we need to do, we remain disciplined to get it, and we drive to accomplish it.