Daily Bread 1 Corinthians 9
Daily Bread 1 Corinthians 9
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 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. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 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.
Observation:
In chapter 9, Paul defends his rights and makes a case that he is indeed an apostle. Because Paul wasn’t one of the original apostles like Peter, James and John, some questioned him. The Corinthians’ coming to know Christ was the best evidence that He was sent by God.
Then, he also defends his right to be paid by his work from those he ministers too, but points out that he has preached the gospel to them free of charge to avoid any question of his motives. Paul wants to avoid the impression that he is preaching for personal gain, even though biblically speaking (he gives OT precedence) he has a right to have his needs supplied by those he serves.
He concludes by saying that even though he is a free man, he has given up his rights to serve others. To those under the Law, he respects the Law and abides by it. When he is with the Gentiles, he makes sure that the Law does not become a stumbling block for them to come to faith. Paul’s heart is to find some type of common ground, so as to create an inroad for sharing the Good News. He is not as concerned about what method he uses but that everyone will have a chance to hear the Gospel in a culturally relevant way. He doesn’t let cultural barriers get in the way of the message that transcends cultural distinctions.
He ends by giving us a glimpse of how committed he is to this. He trains like an athlete to win the prize. Yet this prize is the heavenly calling in Christ. He knows that as he is faithful to his calling to bring the Good News to as many as possible that there is stored up for him in heaven a reward that will never tarnish or fade away.
Application:
What prize are you running after? Will it be worth it when you reach it? Many give their whole lives to something that will rust out or fade away. In fact if your goal is set on a worldly standard such as money, fame, power or prestige, you will be sadly disappointed. Doesn’t it make more sense to run for something that will have permanent and lasting value?
Paul also showed us that he was willing to do whatever it took to reach others for Christ. He was willing to decrease and give up his personal rights, so that others might discover Christ. Instead of expecting others to become like him, he became like them in order to win a hearing for the gospel. Are we willing to make the same sacrifices to give everyone an equal chance to hear the gospel? Do we wait for people to come to us, or do we meet people on their turf? Our brother Paul gave us an example of running for the ultimate prize. May we run the race with the same passion and energy that so powerfully propelled the apostle Paul!
Prayer: God it is so easy to get distracted by things and pursuits that will have no lasting value. Help us to run to win the prize and do whatever it takes to make you known to all types of people regardless of race, religion or class. We know you will be there to help us to finish well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 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. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 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.
Observation:
In chapter 9, Paul defends his rights and makes a case that he is indeed an apostle. Because Paul wasn’t one of the original apostles like Peter, James and John, some questioned him. The Corinthians’ coming to know Christ was the best evidence that He was sent by God.
Then, he also defends his right to be paid by his work from those he ministers too, but points out that he has preached the gospel to them free of charge to avoid any question of his motives. Paul wants to avoid the impression that he is preaching for personal gain, even though biblically speaking (he gives OT precedence) he has a right to have his needs supplied by those he serves.
He concludes by saying that even though he is a free man, he has given up his rights to serve others. To those under the Law, he respects the Law and abides by it. When he is with the Gentiles, he makes sure that the Law does not become a stumbling block for them to come to faith. Paul’s heart is to find some type of common ground, so as to create an inroad for sharing the Good News. He is not as concerned about what method he uses but that everyone will have a chance to hear the Gospel in a culturally relevant way. He doesn’t let cultural barriers get in the way of the message that transcends cultural distinctions.
He ends by giving us a glimpse of how committed he is to this. He trains like an athlete to win the prize. Yet this prize is the heavenly calling in Christ. He knows that as he is faithful to his calling to bring the Good News to as many as possible that there is stored up for him in heaven a reward that will never tarnish or fade away.
Application:
What prize are you running after? Will it be worth it when you reach it? Many give their whole lives to something that will rust out or fade away. In fact if your goal is set on a worldly standard such as money, fame, power or prestige, you will be sadly disappointed. Doesn’t it make more sense to run for something that will have permanent and lasting value?
Paul also showed us that he was willing to do whatever it took to reach others for Christ. He was willing to decrease and give up his personal rights, so that others might discover Christ. Instead of expecting others to become like him, he became like them in order to win a hearing for the gospel. Are we willing to make the same sacrifices to give everyone an equal chance to hear the gospel? Do we wait for people to come to us, or do we meet people on their turf? Our brother Paul gave us an example of running for the ultimate prize. May we run the race with the same passion and energy that so powerfully propelled the apostle Paul!
Prayer: God it is so easy to get distracted by things and pursuits that will have no lasting value. Help us to run to win the prize and do whatever it takes to make you known to all types of people regardless of race, religion or class. We know you will be there to help us to finish well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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