Olympic Champions in Life (Part 4)

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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).

We now come to the fourth day in our consideration of the call that is on our lives to conduct ourselves as champions; to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. And so we will look at the fourth fact about our Olympic championship.

Fact #4 -- There is a Strategy by Which We Advance
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." (Philippians 1:27).

On a personal level each one of us is required to conduct ourselves in such a manner that brings honor to the name and cause of Christ. It is a regrettable thing when one who professes to follow Jesus behaves in such a way as to dishonor His name and bring reproach upon all other believers. We each take a hit when someone on our Team compromises and falls.

The phrase, "contending as one man", literally means team athletics -- each person finding where he or she fits, and then doing their part to insure the victory for the whole Team.

"Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Something happens when a team comes together; the combined efforts of the many actually raise the ability of the individual. You can go farther and faster with others than you could ever go on your on.

As Champions, we skillfully advance against our opponent by working together with one another, thereby compounding our abilities and efforts -- as well as our results.

Are you a team player?
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