1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Discipline of Faith

Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

folded hands resting on an open Bible

Have you ever been an athlete training for a big game or sporting event? It wasn’t until I was in my fifties that I really understood the intense discipline it takes athletes to prepare. I thought being a kickboxing instructor had been the epitome of my athleticism until my husband and I found a karate dojo in our new town. We began training for our black belt certification, and I’ll never forget the grueling four-hour test of my strength, will, and endurance.

Paul’s talk of running a race and being disciplined in training brought all those memories back for me. It’s also helpful to note that Paul’s original audience would have been very familiar with a sporting event, much like the Olympics, which was held every two years in Corinth called the Isthmian Games. Paul’s words would have been very powerful because of this association.

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1 Corinthians 9:15-23 – Burning Motivation

Read 1 Corinthians 9:15-23

3 crosses with a burst of light behind

After Paul’s comments about getting paid in our last reading, he seems to be singing a different tune here–at least when it comes to his own payment. Paul feels confident God has commissioned him to spread the gospel. It’s like he would burst if he didn’t preach about Jesus. Any payment or support is appreciated, but it’s not his motivation.

Remember Jeremiah’s cry in Jeremiah 20:9? “But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” Jeremiah had just been arrested for speaking a message he received from God. He, too, like Paul, had a burning motivation that couldn’t be quenched.

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1 Corinthians 9:1-14 – Getting Paid

Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14

hand holding a wad of money

Paul takes an interesting turn here. It’s almost as if he’s being a little defensive about his role. I think we can all agree he was definitely an apostle of Jesus, dedicating his life to spreading the gospel message and starting a movement of Christ-followers. It was a treacherous time, yet Paul was committed to the cause.

We might find ourselves facing a similar resistance as followers of Christ. I don’t think it’s my imagination that there seems to be more push back on Christians than ever before. It’s as if a few bad apples have given the whole lot of us a bad rap. Why should we feel like we have to be careful what we say so that we don’t offend someone?

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1 Corinthians 8:1-13 – What’s Your Idol Meat?

Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

barbequed meat on a skewer

Paul deals here with another burning question on the minds of Corinthians dealing with the problem of food sacrificed to idols. I can’t say that this is something I’ve ever thought of, and I’m pretty sure it’s a new one for you, too. But taken in context, it was a very real problem in Paul’s day. The concept applied here can speak to other issues we may be facing.

While the Corinthian’s question was specific about food, Paul wants them to look deeper. Paul wants them to understand that God isn’t going to smite us if we eat such food. “It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.” It comes down to “how does our behavior affect others?”

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1 Corinthians 7:25-40 – Time Away from God

Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

abstract design of clock and words like schedule busy delay stress alarm

Paul seems to be fielding another question here in his initial response to the single ladies. Don’t you agree there is a definite bias here by Paul that being unmarried is the “better” option? Despite that, Paul wants to be clear that marriage is not a sin. That’s a good thing! Perhaps Paul didn’t understand going through the “fuss” of getting married when the end was near.

What seems to be most concerning to Paul is how we must divide our time if we’re married. God doesn’t get 100% of our devotion because we are called to love our spouses. While Paul doesn’t speak of it here, children are often born to married couples and the love and care of our offspring takes even more time away from God! But then, isn’t being a loving parent and raising children a way of serving God?

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