Devotional: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Today’s passage: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Helpful thoughts:

• Paul continues the argument of being willing to give up personal rights to serve people and spread the gospel.
• Being in Christ, Paul was no longer under the restrictions of the law, but if something like eating pork chops or bacon (As a silly example) was going to prevent him from being able to share the gospel with a Jew, he was willing to go without!
  • Our greatest goal is to love and please God.  Then, to love others.
    • Sharing the blessings of the gospel is more important than demanding my rights.
    • If my greatest goal truly is to love and please God, then sharing the blessings of the gospel will also be far more joyful than demanding my rights.
• The victory we are pursuing is more significant than every Olympics, World Cup, Superbowl, World Series and NBA Finals combined.  “Run” to win.

Questions to consider:

1. How does Jesus’ statement in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” fit in with what we read in these verses?  How could these concepts change our definition of what makes our day a “good” day?
2. What happens when a person you share the gospel with repents and becomes a Christian?  How has their eternity forever changed?  In what ways is leading the lost to Christ better than winning any championship?
3. What does it mean to run aimlessly (Verse 26)?  What does it mean to run with purpose toward your goal for the Christian?  How can you continue to improve as you race toward the prize?