Freedom Surrenders its Rights

1 Corinthians 9:13-27

Father, allow this writer to grasp the freedom that is mine in Christ, to know that freedom does not demand it’s rights, it surrenders its rights.  The apostle Paul is very clear that one who serves or is employed in the temple has the right to eat and share in the sacrificial offerings and in the same way, the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel.  But Paul is quick to proclaim that he has no desire to do so even though it is his right, for his driving desire is to broadcast the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Father, my prayer is that all followers of Your Son will have this heart to be a steward of the gospel like Paul, and this was the prize he was going for; “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.”

In verses 24-27, Paul tells us about going for the prize as a runner, and that many start the race, but only one comes away with the prize.   Paul’s instructions are needed in the time we are living, for it is a time of wanting to be entertained, to be a hearer of the Word, but not a doer.  These are the instructions: “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.”

Having watched runners race and especially in a 400-meter relay, to see your team start strong, and on the last leg to have one drop the baton and be disqualified, is heartbreaking.  This does not even compare to a believer in Christ who runs aimlessly, who is not equipped to finish the race.  Today put your rights on the shelf, and run with self-control, keeping your eyes on the prize!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice