OUR FATHER WHOSE PERFECT LAW IS FULFILLED IN CHRIST
The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 19 - 27, speaks to those who believe in Christ and understand the excellencies of Him who died to save us.
In the marvelous light and freedom that the salvation that Christ gives us, Paul encourages believers to conceptualize their journey while on earth as a race to run and to undertstand that there is a crown of life to be gained for those who endure to to the end. In this race, we encounter obstacles and challenges but if we perservere and use our liberty to seek first the kingdom of God and with certainty, struggle against our opponents with a view to victory, an eternal prize will be given to us.
Paul used his freedom to become all things to all men that some among those he served and related to might be saved and thus be his seal of apostleship which was his calling.
The leverage that we believers have in this world is that we have a body that can influence outcomes in this world and therefore Paul adjures us to bring our body into the subjection of our spirits to compel it to do the needful things for the kingdom and to avoid getting entangled in the things and patterns of this world.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Amen.
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