Feb. 6, 2015: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.  

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

¹⁶If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe betide me if I do not proclaim the gospel! ¹⁷For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. ¹⁸What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.19 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. ²⁰To 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 I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. ²¹To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. ²³I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

Reflection:

In true Paul fashion, he makes a very dramatic statement about the need to be humble to the gospel for the sake of making disciples for Christ.  Ministry can be messy, whether you are clergy or lay.  Even back then, it was messy.  Paul felt the need to outline ministry and his orders as an apostle.  In verse 22, “I have become all things to all people, so I could save some by all possible means. ²³ All the things I do are for the sake of the gospel, so I can be a partner with it.”  Powerful words. Important words for us to hear.  This is a reminder for us to be humble.  It is all right if we have differences with other individuals, but we need to remember that as Christians, we are called into community.  This means that we are to live out the gospel and love our neighbors.  One of the ways we live out the gospel is through humility Paul talks about. That humility helps us to discern where God calls us to serve.  This call can be lived out in your neighborhood, at work, school, the church, or in the grocery line.  Ministry takes all shapes and forms; it becomes all things to all people.

Reflection Questions:

Morning: How do you feel you are called to serve God?

Afternoon: Who have you ministered to today?

Evening: Did you live out the gospel in humility?

Prayer: 

Loving Lord, help us to put aside our egos and truly live out the gospel.  Let us be open to serving you wherever we may be.  Allow your Holy Spirit to fill us to make us more like you.  Amen.