Tag: all things to all people
Running to win!
Scripture reading for July 17: 1 Corinthians 9
“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. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 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.” 1 Corinthians 9:22-27
Paul explained to the believers at Corinth how he viewed ministry in their culture. He had explained how he had a right to receive support from them as he ministered among them. However, he did not take any support, but worked to support himself so that he would not cause any to stumble. He was not preaching for money or as a job that supported him. His reward was seeing souls saved and in heaven for eternity. These eternal blessings would be shared by all. His world-view enlarged his perspective and motivation and daily actions.
Paul also sought to reach the most people. He did this by identifying with those to whom God sent him. He got down where the people were and learned to speak their language and understand how to reach them. He stated that he “became all things to all people that he might win some.” He likened his daily walk as a race in which he was running for the prize. In the world, runners raced for a laurel wreath given to the victor. Paul was looking for the eternal reward of the crown of righteousness and enjoying Jesus with the redeemed saints.
Do you find that each day’s short term needs are a primary subject of your thinking? How does Paul’s world-view challenge you to change your focus? In what ways do you need to bring your body and mind under self-discipline to focus on eternal things?
Prayer: Father God, I am challenged by this passage of Scripture and the example of Paul the Apostle. Help me to develop a world-view that focuses on sharing the Gospel of Jesus to those around me. Help me to discipline my body and mind and live effectively as a witness of Jesus Christ and enjoy eternal life with Jesus. Amen.
That I might save some!
Scripture reading for September 4th: 2nd Kings 18-19, 2nd Chronicles 32, Psalm 67, 1st Corinthians 9
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 9:19-22 “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 being 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.”
Paul carefully explained his heart of serving others who were different than himself. He identified with them in their unsaved state so as to be able to share with them the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ that they might be saved. He had great freedom in Christ, but limited his own freedom to reach those lost in sin and cultural idolatry. Paul sought to imitate his Master, Jesus Christ, who came to seek and save the lost.
Psalm 67:1-2 “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His Face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.”
Faith confession and prayer: Thank You Lord for the freedom from condemnation and judgment I experience in Jesus Christ. Help me to limit my liberty as You direct to reach those still in bondage and see them saved.
2nd Chronicles 32:8 “”. . . . .with him (the king of Assyria) is the an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
Mission focus!
Scripture reading for July 17th: Psalm 23-26, 1st Corinthians 9
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 9:22-24 “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. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”
Paul explained his mission in life now that he had become a follower of Christ. He tried to relate to whoever Christ placed in his path. He wanted to share the gospel with them and see them saved and enjoying the blessings of becoming a child of God. Paul compared life in Christ to a great race. All believers in the race should run to obtain the prize. Eternal life is the prize to be shared with the world.
Psalm 24:9-10 “Lift up your head, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.”
Prayer: Lord, help me today to focus on Your mission of reaching lost people with the blessing of the Gospel. I glorify You as the King of Glory! May all open the door of their hearts to You! Amen.
Running to win!
Scripture reading for August 15th: 1st Corinthians 9:20-10:14
Paul’s sole motive was to win the most people as possible. He had purposely not taken support from those he ministered to in order to win more of them. Next he told of his strategy to continue to reap a big harvest. He was not just doing things to be busy, but had a plan he was working on!
“To the Jews, I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1st Corinthians 9:20-23)
Paul loved God and loved God’s people. He was open to live his life in a way that would have maximum impact on the most people possible. In order to reach people, we must relate to people. For the sake of the Gospel, we can lay aside some of our liberties and identify with those who are weak or struggling. In doing so, we can preach and speak into their lives.
He viewed his life like a race in which he was running to get a prize. In the athletic contests of that day, many runners ran to get a crown of flowers that would soon fade away. But in the race for souls to enter the kingdom of heaven, the crown was permanent! (1st Corinthians 9:24-25) Paul disciplined himself and brought his mind and body into obedience in order to accomplish his task of reaching the Gentiles. He was focused on this task and did not want to be disqualified for failing to finish the race!
How is your focus on finishing your spiritual race? Are you aware of the eternal prize awaiting those who finish well? Are you disciplining your body and mind to focus on the task ahead? The eternal crown awaits all who finish in faith!