I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)

We look forward to the day when Christ will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant…” Conversely, I can’t imagine that anyone looks forward to hearing the words, “You are disqualified.”

In athletics, disqualification could mean that someone is ineligible to win a single event because of a violation, or a longer period of time if they took performance enhancing or illicit drugs, or gambled, particularly on their own event. It is also possible to be disqualified for life.

What did the apostle Paul mean by disqualification? Was it disqualification for eternal life, or for crowns and rewards? Would disqualification be permanent, or is there a path to restoration? The theologians and commenters are divided in their opinions, but we can make the case that those who preach, or are in position of leadership, must be held to a higher standard.

We want to see people restored who have fallen, but under what conditions are they ineligible to return to their previous ministry assignment. My friend Dr. Jim Cecy asks these questions. “How long after someone molests a child would I want to place him in a position to work with my children? Would I recommend him to work him with my relatives, or even in another town?”

In practice, moral failure in ministry often ends a career. Yet high-profile pastors and leaders are sometimes considered too valuable to be sidelined permanently. As such failures continue to surface, the question of disqualification cannot be ignored.

Indispensable?

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this? Esther 4:14 (NLT)

Not every moral failure in ministry involves a high-profile individual, but they are often treated differently. We might get the impression that some people are indispensable. That the work of ministry in the kingdom of God would not occur without them.

Queen Esther might have fallen into this category, but Uncle Mordechai understood that God was not limited to one person, or one means to save his people. It is dangerous to put any pastor or ministry leader into the “rock star” category. When I was young, I remember Christian evangelists or speakers introduced with phrases like “God’s man for the hour,” or “God’s choice, anointed servant.” I do not think that the apostle Paul would ever have stood for such foolishness. He introduced himself as a slave of Jesus Christ.

No one is so valuable that they cannot be replaced. The kingdom of God does not depend upon celebrity. When people are elevated and put on pedestals, we might be setting them up for failure.

No one is indispensable, or so important that all of God’s plan depends upon them. God’s way is different, as Paul explains God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence. 1 Corinthians 1:28–29 (CSB)

Whatever we accomplish, big or small, must bring glory to God. If we ever start thinking that we are indispensable, we will be on the precipice of failure.

Self-Discipline

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 (CSB)

Self-discipline must begin before temptation is at your door. An athlete who begins training on the day of the event will fail. Months of training and preparation are essential to victory. They keep their eye on the prize, and sacrifice things that stand in their way of victory.

As Christ-followers the stakes are even higher. All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT). When we lose sight of the prize, we place less importance on self-discipline. We let things slip and begin to make excuses. Instead of putting to death the things of the sinful nature, we attempt to manage and control them.

It is rare to find someone who has enough self-discipline to train without a partner. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. When Jesus sent out his disciples to minister, he sent them in pairs. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes picked up this theme. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NLT)

We cannot afford to let up, even for a moment, to exercise self-discipline and restraint. The only way to do this successfully is to keep our eye on the prize that lies before us. Do not succumb to flattery or self-deception. Put the sinful nature to death.

Run to Win

But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 (CSB)

It is unlikely that anyone enters the race intending to fail. Those who are disqualified put themselves in a position to fail because they were not adequately prepared and disciplined. They will not be able to say that they did not know or understand what was required to stay in the race. Deflecting the blame to others will not be acceptable.

The adversity that we face is not always the same. Some people will face trials that we could never imagine, but then again, everyone will be challenged in some way. We must keep our eye on the prize. We must train our bodies with diligence and avoid being disqualified. And then, one day we will hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Steve Ekeroth