1 Corinthians 9:16-23 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! Verse 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. Verse 18What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
Verse 19For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. Verse 20To 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 I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. Verse 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. Verse 22To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. Verse 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Devotion
Much has been said in our circles about Christian freedom, and rightly so. In Christ, we have been set free from many burdensome duties that millions of our fellow humans labor under in their desire to please God. They never know when they have done enough to earn the needed points or even to deserve eternal life. We simply cling to Christ who suffered for us on the Cross and was raised from the dead.
But Paul also sees another side of our life in Christ. This amazing Lord not only saved Paul; He also called him to be an apostle, a witness. Probably, not many of us are called to be pastors or evangelists. But does this mean we are under no compulsion to witness to others? Does the great commission in Matthew 28 exclude any of Jesus’ disciples? Paul didn’t find it so.
Prayer
Lord, help me to live and to speak as your witness whenever I am given an opportunity. Amen.