July 30
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RUN AIMFULLY TO WIN THE RACE
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So, they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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According to quora.com, during the life and times of Jesus Christ, (c. A.D. 1 – A.D. 34,) the sports that were played by citizens of the Roman Empire were like today’s sports in that they were also played professionally. The kinds of sports that were played by men during the life of Christ were as follows: dice rolling, foot-racing, archery, boxing, wrestling, an early variation of soccer, javelin throwing, discus throwing, and the high-jump. The women of the empire participated in athletics as well, namely, competitive dancing competitions. No wonder that Paul gave an illustration of a sporting event like a race in this letter to the Corinthian believers.
In verse 24, Paul reminds them that despite the many participants in the race, in the end, only one wins the prize. So, he advised the believers to run to win. Training is involved in any preparation for the race. Self-control and discipline are very much needed to prepare oneself to compete and be fit to finish the game. Self-control is defined by Merriam Webster dictionary as restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions or actions. Discipline on the other hand is defined as an orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern or behavior. In verse 26, Paul he points out the importance of aiming or setting a goal to oneself so they do not run without aiming. When I was in my country of origin, turned my love for cycling into an almost professional level. I biked 60 kilometers daily to keep fit and enjoy the exhilaration of biking. On weekends, I cycled with a club of over 50 men and I was the only woman cyclist. I did this for almost a decade and got offered to be trained to compete internationally but I had a teaching career and was raising a son then. The love for the sports and the discipline I persevered to pursue reaped fruits of health benefits and gave me endurance. Paul was likening the race to our Christian walk to eternity. We train ourselves to make our bodies slave to our purpose so that we will not be disqualified to finish the race. Living life is like a race, you face all kinds of obstacles that need to be completed.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to be purposeful and disciplined in serving our Lord Jesus?
Tag Archives: Christian devotional
DOING ALL THINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL ILMA’S VLOG
July 29
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DOING ALL THINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL
19 For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
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In this letter, Paul reveals the ministry that God has given him: to preach the gospel to all people. Earlier in the letter, he mentions that he wasn’t fighting for his rights to be supported by anyone. This is the freedom he is referring to in verse 19. But ironically, he poses two opposing concepts here. In verse 19, he says that he is free from being dependent on the support of other believers, but he has become a slave to the believers by working to bring them the Good News. He is a slave for the sake of the gospel that is why he wouldn’t want to be paid. The fact that he is serving his Lord, is enough payment for him.
He further gives more examples of how he has submitted to his calling as a preacher of the gospel in verses 20-22. In other words, Paul adapted to the varying groups of people that he presents the gospel to. To the Jews, he did what he can to see their perspective and present the gospel in a way that they will not resist it. In verse 20, he explains that he became one as under the law so that he will be able to open the minds of those who are law-abiding people to see God’s truth. In verse 22, he mentions also the weak, where he needed to show them his weaknesses so that he may gain their confidence to have an open heart to receive the gospel. He did this all without compromising his faith in Jesus.
In verse 23, he confesses the reason why he does all these sacrifices. He claims that he will do all things for the gospel to reach all people so that he himself will receive that eternal reward of being with His Redeemer.
Once again, we witness the faithfulness of Paul to do whatever he can to bring the gospel to the entire world by exercising resilience and openness but never compromising his faith and calling.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think some Christians have not truly done everything for the sake of the gospel?
WAIVING RIGHTS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL ILMA’S VLOG
July 28
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WAIVING RIGHTS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
15 But I have used none of these things. And I have not written these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than that. No one shall make my boast an empty one! 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am under compulsion; for woe to me if I do not preach the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a commission nonetheless. 18 What, then, is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
– 1 Corinthians 9:15-18
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Matthew 10:10 says that a worker is worthy of his food and in Luke 10:8 it says that whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. These are verses that clearly spell out that a worker has the right for payment for what they have worked for.
According to some commentary, the Corinthians look up so much to the Greek culture and think that it is superior. The Greeks looked down its nose on all manual labor. Even though the Corinthian Christians thought less of Paul because he worked with his own hands to support himself, Paul wasn’t ashamed of it. In fact, he was boasting about the fact that although he could have asked for support from the Corinthian believers, he chose to forego this right. The Lord called him to preach the gospel and that in itself was the reward that he treasures more than anything else.
According to David Guzik’s commentary on this letter, in Paul’s day, there were a lot of religious entrepreneurs, who were out to preach any message to get money. Paul was happy to distance himself from these by never taking an offering so no one would think he might abuse [his] authority in the gospel. This was Paul’s reward. Guzik further comments “We may not ever be faced with the same decision Paul faced – to accept or deny support for the good of the gospel. But we each have a critical question to answer: what rights are you willing to sacrifice for the cause of Jesus?”
What a question to ponder on. Some believers forget that we have waived off our rights in this world because we are serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Fighting for one’s right is very prevalent in the world today. When we clamor for our rights, we think we deserve things.
When we relinquish it, we are testament to the grace of God and we trust His providence.
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REFLECTION
• Why did Paul relinquish his right to be supported by the Corinthian church?
ENDURING ALL THINGS TO BRING OUT THE GOSPEL ILMA’S VLOG
July 27
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ENDURING ALL THINGS TO BRING OUT THE GOSPEL
8 I am not just asserting these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does the Law not say these things as well? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE IT IS THRESHING.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He? 10 Or is He speaking entirely for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing in the crops. 11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. – 1 Corinthians 9:8-14
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In Deuteronomy 25:4, God commanded “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” According to David Guzik commentary, “This law simply commanded the humane treatment of a working animal. In those days, grain was broken away from its husk by an ox walking on it repeatedly (usually in a circle). It was cruel to force the ox to walk over all that grain, yet to muzzle him so he couldn’t eat of it.”
Why did Paul bring out this Mosaic law mentioned in Deuteronomy 25:4 in his letter to the Corinthians? It seems that he was explaining that this wasn’t literally about oxen, but an illustration of how we need to work in a perspective of hope. That we need not abuse those who are actually bringing us sustenance for our bodies, soul and mind, but instead, support them so they can continue the work they were designed to do. In other words: if we are benefitting and growing from a church or a community or family of believers, we ought to give support to the ones who are actually looking after our growth.
In verses 11-12, Paul raises a question regarding the validity of those who work for Christ’s kingdom, to also expect material compensation. After all, they are still human and have physical needs as well. Paul said that he had all the right to claim support from them, but he didn’t use this right to ensure that it won’t hinder them from hearing the Good News.
In verse 14, he explains the right of the workers of God to be compensated as well because they are proclaiming the gospel. They are working for God’s kingdom here on earth, it is only right to be paid for what they have worked for.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think some don’t understand that workers for God needs compensation too?
PAUL’S DEFENSE TO THE CORINTHIAN BELIEVERS ILMA’S VLOG
July 26
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PAUL’S DEFENSE TO THE CORINTHIAN BELIEVERS
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not consume some of the milk of the flock? – 1 Corinthians 9:1-6
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In an introduction to the First Corinthians book, it mentions that the Corinthian church was immersed in a city associated with trade but also with corruption and immorality. These believers were having a hard time to use their spiritual gifts to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. In this letter, Paul addresses the issue of the believer’s doubt regarding his apostolic authority and his right to be supported by the Corinthian believers. Previous to this chapter, Paul dealt with their insistence to eat meat offered to the gods as they were accustomed to. In these following passages, he speaks on his defense as a worker of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul confronts their doubt about the validity of his spiritual authority and why they think that he as his other apostles have to be supported by those whom they minister to.
Paul speaks brilliantly in this letter when he defended himself as being free, not serving any other authority but only the Lord Jesus Christ himself. He points out to them in verse 1 that they have witnessed the work of the Lord in him as they are recipients of his ministry. Like a lawyer, bringing out his case to the Corinthian believers, he lays down his case to them. He has not demanded anything from them and have forgone his rights that he is actually entitled to claim. He gave them questions in verse 6 that exposes their doubting hearts regarding the rights of a worker to be paid or a gardener to gather a harvest from his hard-earned work, or a shepherd who can consume some of the milk that the sheep he tends gives out. Like all these workers, the spiritual ministry he does also needs to be supported by those who are recipients of the ministry of Christ. The Corinthian believers showed a lack of generosity for the work of the Lord in the apostles. They clearly exhibit a worldly mentality that shows the corruption in their hearts.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for Christians to support the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ?
WOUNDING THE WEAK IS A SIN AGAINST CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
July 25
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WOUNDING THE WEAK IS A SIN AGAINST CHRIST
7 However, not all people have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Now food will not bring us close to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9 But take care that this freedom of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, the one who has knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will his conscience, if he is weak, not be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge the one who is weak is ruined, the brother or sister for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brothers and sisters and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to sin. – 1 Corinthians 8:7-13
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Let me refer to the council at Jerusalem where things were clarified regarding the guidelines for the Gentiles who became believers. Acts 15:19 says that “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
In this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he continues to enlighten the believers about their query on eating foods offered to idols. Even though this letter is written probably ahead of the Acts of the Apostles, they are tackling the same issues on following the Mosaic laws. Paul is addressing the deeper issues lying around this question regarding food. In verse 8, we hear Paul points out that food isn’t the issue here. It is being wary of the freedom that they have received in Christ that it doesn’t become a hindrance for the Gentile believers who are still weak in their faith to be confused or sin. In verse 10, he addresses those who are mature in their Christian walk to be watchful about being legalistic about these things concerning foods that were offered to idols. What good would it do if a baby Christian who is used to his or her custom become judged harshly by a mature believer? Paul says that they can ruin the new believer who is still very weak and may lose their faith. It is a sin against Christ if the weaker believer is ruined.
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REFLECTION
• Why was Paul very adamant to exercise wisdom in dealing with weak Christians?
ON KNOWLEDGE, LOVE & THE ONE TRUE GOD ILMA’S VLOG
July 24
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ON KNOWLEDGE, LOVE & THE ONE TRUE GOD
Now concerning food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes one conceited, but love edifies people. 2 If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
4 Therefore, concerning the eating of food sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. – 1 Corinthians 8:1-6
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In this letter Paul addresses the question whether food sacrificed to idols can be consumed by believers. It is interesting how Paul began this letter with the principle of knowledge and love. In the beginning of this letter, he differentiates the effects of the two principles: knowledge makes a person conceited or arrogant, but the one who operates in love builds up others. Paul further warns the believers to watch out if anyone is assuming that he knows anything because the more he claims he knows, the more he doesn’t really understand. If anyone loves God, he or she is surely going to be acknowledged by God himself.
After Paul explains the principles of knowledge and love, he begins to answer their query on the eating of food sacrificed to idols. He explains that idols have no value at all and that there is only one true God. He further explains that despite the many idols that many have been worshiping, there is only one God. This one true God, is the source of all things and the only reason why they are still alive. He is the reason why all things are created and it is only through him that anything is possible.
For those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ, it is impossible to have knowledge and wisdom. Without Jesus, there can never be true love. The love that the world knows is not the perfect love that God the Father offers. Proverbs 1:7 says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Paul answers the question on eating food offered to idols by giving them a glimpse of the true character of God, full of wisdom and love.
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REFLECTION
• How can a Christian bring knowledge to those who don’t know the Lord?
REMINDERS ON MARRYING OFF & RE-MARRIAGE ILMA’S VLOG
July 23
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REMINDERS ON MARRYING OFF & RE-MARRIAGE
36 But if anyone thinks that he is acting dishonorably toward his virgin, if she is past her youth and it ought to be so, let him do what he wishes, he is not sinning; let them marry. 37 But the one who stands firm in his heart, if he is not under constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin, he will do well. 38 So then, both the one who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and the one who does not give her in marriage will do better.
39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in my opinion, she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God. – 1 Corinthians 7:36-40
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In this letter to the Corinthians, Paul answers the question of the Corinthian church whether the fathers should arrange a marriage for their daughter. According to a commentary “anyone” mentioned in verse 36 here refers to the father of a young woman or man of marrying age (his virgin). Acting dishonorably toward his virgin has nothing to do with any kind of improper moral behavior, but with denying his daughter or son the right to marry, based on the way Paul values singleness. In that culture, a young person’s parents had the primary responsibility for arranging their marriage. So, based on what Paul has already taught, should a Christian father recommend celibacy to his child? Paul says it is not wrong for a father to allow his young daughter to marry, even allowing for the desirability of singleness at the present time. In verse 37, Paul recommends being single not only to the unmarried but also to the fathers when they marry off their daughters.
In verse 38, Paul explains that it is neither good nor bad to marry off their daughters or not, but that because of the current distress going on in Corinth, they will be better off to stay unmarried. In verses 39-40, Paul addresses the question about remarriage to the widows. He reminds the women that they are married to their husbands for life but are free to re-marry after they die, but he recommends to stay unmarried after because then, they will be undistracted to serve their Lord God wholeheartedly and undividedly.
It may baffle many unbelievers why Paul recommends singlehood for believers, but I understand that he is making them see that there is less worldly concerns for the single because the married people are bound to please their spouses and family.
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REFLECTION
• How is Paul right in recommending singlehood to serve God more faithfully?
UNDISTRACTED DEVOTION TO THE LORD ILMA’S VLOG
July 22
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UNDISTRACTED DEVOTION TO THE LORD
32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
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In the earlier verses of this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he had been advising the Corinthian believers to stay unmarried or be where they are when they are called by the Lord. In this part of his letter, he warns them from being distracted by many concerns in the world. He presented a comparison of the married versus the unmarried in terms of their distractions and priorities. Paul says in verse 32 that he wishes them all to be free from many concerns. In verses 33-34, he illustrates the ways that marriage can bring some distractions in the believer’s life. He points out that the married wife or husband’s interests are divided. The unmarried man or woman is concerned with the things of the Lord and can give their full attention to serving the Lord, whereas the married man or woman have to fulfill their duties to their spouses which may bring a conflict in interest. It can compete with one’s priority and attention that should be wholeheartedly given to the Lord. There are less responsibilities and duties to a single person rather than those with spouses and children.
I can attest to the distraction that marriage can bring to one’s walk with the Lord. It is very easy for us to please the one we married and make them first than the Lord. Of course, Paul wasn’t prohibiting marriage, but merely pointing out how easily we can make our spouses and children idols that may compete with making the Lord first in everything. Before I was truly saved, my life was focused on serving my husband rather than making the Lord first. I am thankful to the Lord that He has corrected this. Now, my husband knows that my Lord comes first in my life. He knows I love him but my love for my Master can never compare with my love for anyone else. It took a while before he understood what that meant. We must seek to secure undistracted devotion to our Lord and Savior.
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REFLECTION
• How can married people avoid making idols of their spouses?
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE UNMARRIED ILMA’S VLOG
July 21
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INSTRUCTIONS TO THE UNMARRIED
25 Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I am offering direction as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26 I think, then, that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such people as yourselves will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. 29 But this I say, brothers, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the present form of this world is passing away. – 1 Corinthians 7:25-31
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In this letter, Paul addresses the unmarried. He uses the word virgin both for men and women who haven’t been committed to someone in a covenant. Paul wrote this letter approximately in the year 53-54 AD according to some bible introductions to this book. Persecutions of believers started and Stephen had been martyred. Roman Emperor Nero began his cruel persecutions of Christians. During these times, it was completely illegal to be a Christian in the Roman Empire. To declare that you are a follower of Jesus was considered a capital crime against the state of Rome. It was during these “distressed” times that Paul wrote this letter. Eusebius, a Christian who wrote a history of the early church in around 300 AD wrote a description of the unthinkable torture and executions of early believers. Husbands, wives, children, the elderly, pastors or anyone who admitted that they were a follower of Christ, would be denied disowned by their own families because of the impact it would have on their own lives. They were almost considered criminals against the Roman Empire.
It is in this context that Paul instructs the single men and women of the body of believers. He says that the Lord has not commanded this, but because of such circumstances they are experiencing. He is advising the unmarried to stay single and to stay put whatever situation they are at that moment. Being a follower of Jesus has presented many challenges because of the Roman oppression of faith in Jesus. Paul isn’t discouraging marriage, but presents the advantages of remaining single in the time of distress.
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REFLECTION
• Is Paul’s advice to the unmarried still applicable in our current times now? How?