1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Verse 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. Verse 26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; Verse 27but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.
Devotion
My physician almost always asks me what kind of exercise I am doing, for how long and how often. My answer is evasive since I do not like to exercise. I would rather sit in a recliner and read a good book or watch Masterpiece Theater. But without exercise, my body is in danger.
Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to have discipline in their lives. They know all about exercising freedom, but little about discipline and self-control. Without it, Christ’s body is in danger.
In many ways we are like the Corinthians. We hear constantly about the freedom we have and little about the discipline we need to act responsibly within that freedom. We spend too much, eat too much, and sleep and exercise too little. The Christian life calls us to hold tightly to both freedom and discipline. It is true: for freedom Christ has set us free. Because of that freedom, we are also bound to become the servant of our neighbor and the creation.
Prayer
Lord, free us to serve. Amen