-

 1 Corinthians 9:17-27 - Don’t be Discouraged - Run to Win!

        Paul’s motivation was Jesus and the opportunity Jesus gave him to preach to others about Christ.  We see in the next chapter that Paul is giving each of us a grave warning and a command to imitate Christ, not the world.  Paul ran with purpose in every step because he knew the One who awards the prize.  And he knew that the prize is an eternal one, not some earthly trophy or accomplishment that will fade away.  We too have an offer from God to hear Him today and to run to win.

        Notice in this chapter that Paul is discouraged.  He’s saddened by those in the church as they claimed he was not qualified and was not a “real” apostle.  He was discouraged by pride, arrogance, corruption, and me-first selfishness.  It’s a sad reality of being a Christian man or woman.  Christians will disappoint us, undermine us, and make us feel inadequate.  Never mind what the world will do.  It’s ok.  Get up and get running.  One purposeful step at a time.  We do not run this race for them and our worth is not in worldly prizes or fame or accolades.

        Be wary of so-called leaders, self-promoters, who never cease to boast about their qualifications, accomplishments, etc.  They are like the people of old that Paul talks about in the next chapter - God warns them clearly here, but they will not listen.  They are not servant leaders.  They are not Jesus-men, like Paul.  They are in it for profit, power, and prestige

        Notice too that Paul is laser-focused on finding ways to bring many to Christ.  Paul is finding common ground.  Never confuse that with compromising with evil or teaming with darkness.  Finding common ground means doing everything you can out of love to spread the Good News and share its blessings.  Love cares, sacrifices, and endures.  We obey the law of Christ when we put others ahead of ourselves and love like Jesus loves us.

        Like Paul, we must be fit for this race.  Be wary that you don’t get disqualified.  If Paul could get disqualified then any runner can.  This means we must train.  Discipline yourself with God’s help: mentally, physically, and spiritually.

        Lord God, help me to find common ground with others to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that others are blessed by You.  And may I have no other motive.

And please help me to be fit so that I may run with purpose in every step.  Only by the Grace of God will we endure, succeed, and win the prize.  Amen.






Comments

Post a Comment

I'd love to hear your comments, and if you have questions email me at dcbell1111@gmail.com.

Popular posts from this blog

-
Image
 2 Timothy 3 - Are You a Christian, Christian?           Early in my legal career (I'd been practicing about five years and about five years into my Christian walk) I had an interesting encounter with the CEO of one of our firm’s clients.  It was 2001 and technology companies were thriving.           My neighbors in S.W. Calgary were Lebanese immigrants and faithful members of their mosque.  They were some of the best neighbors we’ve ever had.  They owned a bakery that made Pita bread.  I’ll never forget the day we took possession of that house.  As they often would in the eleven years we lived there, they brought me a big bag of fresh bread.  We shared many good conversations with them over the years.  I love them and I pray God blesses them.           My neighbors had a friend from the mosque who was the CEO of Wi-LAN - a publicly listed tech company that held patents for technology that was key to the Blackberry - and later many other mobile phones.  Wi-LAN made many in the mosq
Read more
-
Image
 Hebrews 2:1-5 - Signs and Wonders - Miracles and Gifts I can shock myself at my inability to learn simple lessons.  They say just showing up is 90% of success.  Well, I’m confident inattentiveness, waffling, and ambivalence are keys to failure. In this passage, we hear yet again a warning to “listen very carefully” to God’s message or we run a real risk of total failure - drifting away from God (2:1).  With responsibility comes consequences.  Just ask any sentry, goaltender, place-kicker, or pilot.  You have a job to do - if you don’t do it well the results are clear.  So, let’s do it well. It’s the same as we develop and grow as Christians.  We have to make a decision to grow.  I've been reading about growthmindset lately and I think God is finally getting through to me.           It will not come as a shocker to any dad hooked on porn, a mom who has dabbled in an office romance, or the pastor who’s craftily swindled money from the church.  Christians can’t just casually li
Read more
-
Image
 Hebrews 6 - Faith and Endurance These next two chapters of Hebrews are incredibly encouraging for the Christian.  God gives us confidence and courage to do what we must.  When the whistle blows, be ready to go.  God in Heaven is developing your character; He’s preparing you to fight His battles.           We are responsible to grow.  We know that God repays people for the wrong they have done (Jeremiah 50:24).  And that God uses whomsoever He chooses as His instruments of justice (Jeremiah 50:20).  “For the LORD is a God who gives just punishment; he always repays in full” (Jeremiah 50:56). Thinking of God’s character is sobering, and good.  We know Jesus is the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  In the next few chapters, we hear the truth about who Jesus is and our responsibilities to Him. Nearly 2,000 years after the death, burial, and resurrection of our King we are reminded that there are false teachers today - those leading people astray for power and greed - just as there
Read more