I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:27 It is a mistake to think that growth in grace is automatic if you are a religious professional. In reality, being a Christian professional makes it harder to grow spiritually rather than easier. Since professionals are expected, as we may say, to perform—to fulfill roles—the temptation to settle for an appropriate form of mask-wearing role play,