Tag: 1st Corinthians 9:19-23
Sharing Gospel blessings!
Scripture reading for August 11th: 1st Corinthians 9, Psalm 10, Proverbs 5
1st Corinthians 9:19-23 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
After finding Jesus Christ as Lord, Paul was a free man from the law of God. Jesus had taken the penalty for his (and our) sins and given him the Holy Spirit and the law of Christ which is love. Paul became a willing bond-servant of God, offering his own self as a witness and preacher of the Good News to win lost people to God. He sought to find a way to relate to each person in order to share the Good News. His focus was their salvation, regardless of their background or religious upbringing. He knew God’s heart of compassion for hurting and oppressed people and for the sake of the Gospel allowed the Holy Spirit to use him for their healing and deliverance through faith in Jesus.
Psalm 10:17-18 “O Lord, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline Your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may not strike terror no more.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for hearing the cries of the afflicted and hurting, the fatherless and oppressed and acting for them by sending Your Son. Thank You that You see all of our ways and ponder all our paths that You might win us to You by sending servants like Paul. Fill me with Your compassion and love and send me today to those in need of Your grace. Pour out Your blessings through the Gospel!
Proverbs 5:21 “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.”
A servant to all for the Gospel!
Scripture reading for September 6th: 1st Corinthians 9
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 9:19-23 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
Paul went into detail concerning his own life of serving all people for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul clearly understood the importance of winning souls for Christ as his priority. He had a right to receive offerings and get support from the church, but limited his right and worked with his own hands to provide for his needs that he might not cause any to stumble. He lived under the law although freed from law-keeping that he might win Jews. He did not keep the Jewish law around Gentiles but lived under the law of Christ (love God and love people) in order to win them. Around those with weak consciences he became weak (although strong) to win them. He desired all men to be saved and share in the blessings of eternal life in Christ. He did this out of love and Christ’s call on his life to preach.
1st Corinthians 9:16-17 “For if I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will I am still entrusted with a stewardship.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You for Your call to me to preach the Gospel. I willingly accept that call and want to freely share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Help me through the Holy Spirit to be a servant to all people that I might win some and enjoy sharing with them the blessings of eternal life with You forever and ever. As a steward, may I be found faithful.
1st Corinthians 9:26-27 “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”