While most of the world's Christians understand the sacrificial theme of the Passover, they fail to grasp the knowledge of actively overcoming sin, largely because of the concepts of 'free' grace and 'unconditional' forgiveness taught by Protestant theologians. They forget the covenantal aspect of our relationship with God; Christianity is more than 'just believing.' The New Covenant places serious responsibilities on both sides, including the Christian's obligation to put sin out of his life. In the Exodus, though God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, they had to walk to Canaan on the "Shoe Leather Express." Besides putting out sin, we must move forward cooperatively with God. Using metaphors from running and boxing, Paul assures the Corinthians that self-discipline and sacrifice are necessary to get up to speed, acquiring stamina to run their lifelong race toward God's Kingdom, and avoiding the pitfalls of lust, idolatry, sexual immorality, tempting Christ, and murmuring.

Athletic metaphors Balaam Basil Wolverton sketches Beat ourselves black and blue Boxing metaphor Competition Covenant Drinking from the Rock Egypt Eternal security Flee danger 'Free' grace Get out of Egypt Goal Idolatry Isthmian games Kingdom of God Lust Marathon Missing our aim Overcoming Red Sea Running toward righteousness Seize the crown of victory Self control Self discipline Shadow boxing Shoe Leather Express Skedaddle Slavery metaphor Speed Sports metaphors Stadion Syncretism Training 'Unconditional' surrender Under the cloud Unleavened bread Walking with God Wilderness trek