1 Corinthians Week 20

Day 1 

READ 

1 Corinthians 9:21 

²¹ When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 

Some might take this to mean when they are with those who do not have good moral standards, they can win them to Christ by acting like them. Not so with the apostle Paul. While he witnessed to them who live without law he realized he should “obey the law of Christ.” Paul never comprised what he believed about the resurrected Christ. He could adjust to cultural differences but not to false teaching.  

REFLECT 

As a believer in Jesus, do you refuse to compromise on what the Scriptures teach about Him? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about what Paul referred to as the “law of Christ.” He also used this expression when he wrote Galatians 6:1-3. Think also of the command Jesus gave to believers to love others as He had loved them (see John 13:34). 

Day 2 

READ 

1 Corinthians 9:22-23 

²² When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 

Although he was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul sought to find common ground with everyone. He did not consider himself to be above others. In his endeavor to be an effective witness for Jesus he did all he could to identify with those who needed Jesus.   

REFLECT 

Do you pray for those the Lord may want you to minister to in a special way? Ask the Lord to burden your heart for someone in special need. Then be faithful in responding. 

RESPOND  

It is almost impossible to have an effective Christian witness without a relationship. See what Paul wrote in Romans 12:15-16. Practicing this will help you to establish a relationship with your listener and hopefully give you opportunity to share your faith.  

Day 3 

READ 

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 

²⁴ Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! ²⁵ All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 

Paul was referring to the athletic games in that day in which only one person won the prize. The Corinthians would be acquainted with those games. He alluded to the discipline athletes needed to have as he made a parallel to the service of a Christian. The athlete did it to attain a crown with a wreath of flowers that would perish. The believer in Jesus disciplines his life to serve Jesus so that he will receive an eternal prize.  

REFLECT 

Think of your service for Jesus as winning an eternal prize. That perspective makes a difference in the way you serve Him.  

RESPOND 

For the rewarding of believers for their service, read 1 Corinthians 3:9-15. The one without something worthy of reward does not lose salvation but only the reward. Discuss this passage with a friend as you think about eternal rewards.  

Day 4 

READ 

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 

²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. ²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 

Paul explained that he was running the Christian race with the discipline that an athlete would exercise for his games. Paul mentioned disciplining his body. Those who do not discipline their bodies are in danger of being set aside because they become unapproved as an effective witness. They don’t lose their salvation if they have trusted in Jesus for salvation; only the possibility of their rewards. 

REFLECT 

Does this passage give you a better perspective on how to live the Christian life? You need to use your mind, emotions and will as you seek to be an effective witness for Jesus.  

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about the concern of not being disqualified in being an effective witness for Jesus. Read 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 to see what Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthian church. 

Day 5 

READ 

1 Corinthians 10:1-2 

¹ I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. ² In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. 

Paul used the nation Israel as an example for present-day believers. As they crossed the Red Sea they were “baptized as followers of Moses.” This reveals that the basic meaning of “baptize” is neither sprinkling nor immersion. They did not get a drop of water on them. The basic meaning of “baptize” is being identified with a person. In this case, it was with Moses.  

REFLECT 

Have you previously thought about the expression “baptized as followers of Moses”? Is the explanation of help to you? 

RESPOND 

Discuss with a fellow believer the significance of baptism in being identified with Jesus. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 that records the meaning of Christian baptism.