THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY TO OBTAIN THE PRIZE 2

lets check out how the Amplified version puts 1 Corinthians 9:25
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither but we (do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness) that cannot wither.
Here we are being compared to an athlete. I was trying to imagine what athletes who desire to win in the Olympic games have to go through to ensure they win. Some of them train in the sun, some on the mountains, in the rain, when it is convenient and when it is not, they are ready to follow instructions giving by their coach(trainer), sometimes they deny themselves of food or certain types of food and sleep because they know that the training is expedient for them to be prepared for what lies ahead and they do this to obtain a gold medal and a wreath that will soon wither, for an honour that is only momentary. An athlete may be able to explain better from his/her experience. so much efforts, pains and sacrifice just for something corruptible but that is very important to them, that is their treasure and they are ready to give whatever it takes to achieve it.
God expects much more from us because we have a better hope, a better goal - Crown of Eternal Blessedness. He does not want us to live a trivialized life, live like there is nothing at stake and expect a crown. He has given us a coach/ trainer so that we can win - the precious Holy Spirit.
An athlete who refuses to obey his/ her coach is destined for failure.
The Holy Spirit knows what is in the heart of the father, he knows what the requirements entails and he is ready to help as many as are willing to fulfill the requirements of the father to obtain the crown. He expects obedience and yielding to his leading.
You cannot do it your way and obtain the crown. To obtain the prize, you must do it God's way.
The Holy Spirit helps, coaches, teaches, instructs, comforts, encourages is so that we would take our training serious, there is a limit to which a coach can push an athlete to train if he/she is not willing to do so. No matter how much he loves him/her he needs his/her cooperation to achieve the aim. The Holy Spirit needs our cooperation so that we can obtain the CROWN.
When we learn to submit and yield to the Holy Spirit, when we allow him to take us through the trainings, correct us when we go wrong and lead us. No one else knows better. This must be a personal decision:
I don' t know about you, but i'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself
                 1Corinthians 9:26-27(MSG)
...to be continued