The sport of cycling is infamous for its culture of cheating, made famous by Lance Armstrong and his use of performance-enhancing drugs. Many riders were putting steroids into their bodies to improve their performance. A few years after cycling dealt with the riders who had been doping, it was discovered that riders were enhancing their bikes’ performance.

An engineer in Budapest built the first secret bike motor in 1998, but it wasn’t discovered until 2017. The motors were hidden in the bike frames, giving riders an advantage in the Tour de France and other races.

It’s hard to say whether cycling is the most immoral sport in the last couple of decades, but between doping and cyclists cheating with bike frames fitted with small motors, it surely would be in the running. A former rider, Tyler Hamilton, said, “I guess we should have known this was coming. There’s more pressure in today’s cycling world than ever to win.”

1 Thessalonians 4 – Sanctification

When the culture of sports is morally collapsing around us, what do believers do? A great starting point for strengthening our standards is 4:1-8. Paul wanted the Thessalonian Christians to be established “without blame in holiness” (3:13). He knew that, in his day, young believers faced a real threat of immorality.

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to pursue sanctification. He emphasized ongoing “sanctification,” the process by which believers are progressively made more holy and set apart from evil. Paul focused on sexual impurity (vv. 3-8) and brotherly love (vv. 9-12). Being part of God’s team means pursuing holiness in every area of life, regardless of what the world is doing. The goal of each of these challenges is to grow in Christlikeness and evangelism.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete avoid all forms of sexual practice, including adultery, premarital and extramarital intercourse, and other perversions outside God’s revealed will. They know they will be tempted, so they lean on God, His Word, and His Spirit to live a life that honors Him.

Bible Memory Verse – “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”  2 Thessalonians 2:15 (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: The Most Immoral Sport

Our featured book this week is 1 John (The Abiding Athlete). A 10-week study, written by Ron Brown.

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