1 Corinthians 9:20-27 I do not run aimlessly.
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: February 27, 2020 1 Corinthians 9:20-27
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
To 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 not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 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. 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. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
(Understanding the Text) I find it interesting that Paul says that he became as a Jew. Most people would say that he already was a Jew, so he didn’t need to become like one. I think maybe this says something about Paul’s self-identity. He was not a Jew who had rejected the Messiah; he belonged to Jesus, and was part of spiritual Israel. He was part of the kingdom of heaven, not the worldly kingdom of the Jews.
Paul’s purpose here was still to demonstrate to the Corinthians why they needed to deny their own inclinations to eat meat offered to idols, even though they were correct that it was not sinful for them since they knew that there were no gods and the idols were simply wood and stone crafted by human hands. He also wanted them to stop arguing among themselves over who was greatest and who had the greatest leader. He wanted them to stop committing sexual and other sins and sins of greed. He wanted them to understand the value of denying their own inclinations for their brothers’ and sisters’ sakes. Thus, he sets himself up as an example. When he is with Jews, he only acts in ways that would not prejudice Jews against Jesus. To Gentiles, Paul did not perform all the little meaningless ceremonial rituals that would get in the way of the reception of Jesus. If someone had a weakness, a blind spot, Paul was careful not to act in any way that would cause that person to fall. Why did he do things that were not his natural inclination? He valued the people more than the inclination. He did what he did and denied himself what he denied himself so that more people might know Jesus through him.
Paul compares living with Jesus to a race. Our life here is not a simple walk in the park. We are in the race of our lives and our goal is to reach the finish line victoriously. To do that, we must focus on what needs to be done to win the prize, and we must get rid of anything that will keep us from winning. Paul says this includes controlling our physical wants and desires so that they do not lead us away from Jesus. He says that he wants to ensure his own salvation as much as securing the salvation of others, so he remembers what is important and strives for it.
(Revelation of God) Too many Christians are beating the air. They are without focus. They have accepted Jesus as their Savior and then been distracted from Him by other stuff. Jesus is the focus of our race and the fight is not against other people, but for other people. Jesus is both our goal and, through the Spirit, our traveling companion. It is only when we become distracted and take our eyes off of Jesus that we leave the main path and start going off on rabbit trails. Jesus will keep us going in the right directionl.
(Application / Prayer) I don’t have physical or mental self-control, but I do have the desire to serve You. Please give me the control necessary to serve You well and to treat others well. I pray to reflect Your glory to those around and to be with You forever. I’m not good at changing my ways for others’ sakes, but if that is what You need me to do, I need You to give me the power to do it. Teach me to love.