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December 1st

The bible reading today is in 1 Corinthians chapters 9-11.

In our reading today Paul reminds the church that it was God who planted the church in Corinth, and that God used him in that process. But Paul also addressed some church members who had their doubts about him...doubting his leadership and doubting his call from God as an apostle of Christ.

Sometimes I forget that Paul was just a man. Yes, he was probably Spirit-filled most of the time, but he was still just a man doing life with Jesus.

I believe that when some people in the church spoke against him, it had to sting. I also believe that when some that Paul led to Christ began to doubt him and disrespect him, it had to be crushing to Paul.

But perhaps the Spirit reminded him of Jesus’ sermon on the mount...and thinking upon that, perhaps the Spirit infused him with renewed faith in Jesus and a measure of courage to keep up the good fight and go with the Lord no matter what.

“Blessed are you when men utter all kinds of evil against you falsely...Jesus said to his disciples...Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:11-12‬ ‭

And perhaps after that, the Spirit inspired him to write the following to the church that hurt him...“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. “

Some in the Corinthian fellowship were spreading bad reports about Paul and his ministry.

My take? The letter implies that some accused Paul of not shepherding them properly. They accused Paul and his missionary team of not spending enough time with them. He was spending his time with others outside the church instead of concentrating upon them who supported his ministry.

Paul made it very clear that he had a call upon his life to evangelize the lost for the sake of the gospel. He said that he would continue to be all things to all people, not changing his message but adjusting his methods, so that he might win some more to faith in Jesus.

It was as though Paul was saying, “Come join me church...you and I have been made eternally safe and secure in Christ.

That’s awesome...and the fellowship that we enjoy with one another is awesome...but now it is our turn to preach the gospel unto salvation for our family and friends and neighbors.

Paul went on to exhort the church...“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.”

Corinth was the host of the Isthmian Games, second only to the Olympic Games. So Paul used sport to challenge the disciples in the Corinthian Church.

Runners run. They have trained for their races. They have been qualified to participate. And they pursue the prize.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:22-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And what is that prize that disciples of Christ pursue?

Let us listen to Paul’s letter to the church at Phillipi...“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12-13‬ ‭

The prize for us? One more day to do life on mission with Christ to the glory of God, the building up of the church, and the salvation of another soul for Christ.

Have a great day