1 Corinthians 9:24

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.

Personal Challenge

Life is like a race. A race that ever person who tries ever lived, who is alive now, and who will be alive until Jesus returns. In that race we are all striving to win the prize, the prize of eternal life with our King. He is the only one that can give us that trophy. He is the only one that has actually won that trophy. He is the one that is willing to share that trophy with us. Our part in this race is to run it as if we are the only one that can win it. We are to put our all into it, running relentlessly to the very end so that we can be crowned by Him at the end. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

1 Corinthians 8:8

But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

Encouraging Words

The Christians of the early church had a challenge to deal with that we do not have in this present age. They lived in a time when there were many gods celebrated and worshiped. Part of that worship was the sacrificing of animals to the gods. The problem came in where most of the food in the markets was food that had been used in these sacrificial ceremonies and then sold to the public. What was a Christian to do? How could they eat this food with a clear conscience? Paul reminded them that food is just that, food. He taught that they were free in Christ and that eating this food would have no impact on them. He also taught that their love and concern for their brothers and sisters was of utmost importance and that if eating this food would cause them to stumble, then don’t eat it. It always comes down to loving others. Today this applies to wearing or not wearing masks, having a vaccine or not. Love for another is above all else. Glory be to God!

1 Corinthians 7:3-4

Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

Personal Challenge

In the Orthodox marriage ceremony, the bride and the groom put on crowns that are tied together with a ribbon. There is a time when the priest moves the crowns back and forth between the two. The bride and the groom or co-rulers in their marriage and household. They are the king and queen ruling side by side. As Paul elicits in this passage, they are expected to render themselves, give up their authority, to each other so that they can be unified in their marriage. Much of Western Christianity sets up a hierarchy between the husband and the wife with the husband having his dominion over their wife and family. This is not how God ordained marriage to work. Glory be to God!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Personal Challenge

Is it possible to be a follower of Christ and live as everyone else in the world lives? Not really. God paid a very expensive price to redeem us from the grip of death and this world. He continues to pay a price by giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. It is our responsibility, and our privilege, to glorify God in our body and spirit. This will always set us at odds with the world. We cannot be a true follower of Christ and a full blown citizen of this world at the same time. Only one of these will become our master. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

1 Corinthians 6:12

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Encouraging Words

So many people turn away from the thought of becoming a follower of Christ because they think their life will be restricted by a myriad of rules and regulations. They believe it is too high of a price to pay. However, Paul points out to us that Jesus fulfilled the Law and that we are actually free in Christ. As we grow in our relationship with Him we begin to understand that we are really free to do whatever we want in life, but we choose to do those things that glorify and edify Him. The things of this world are no longer attractive to us. We also learn that pursuing the things of this world begins to bind us to this world and get in the way of our relationship with God. As we mature in Christ we gladly give up the things of this world for the things of God. Glory be to God!

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Encouraging Words

The preceding verses to this one calls out all of the things that we were before we became followers of Christ. We were fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, and all other sorts of people that lived our lives apart from God. Anything, no matter how big or small, that separates us from God is bad and needs to be removed from our lives. As we enter into His family through baptism and chrismation, we are cleansed from these past sins and made whole before our Lord. Glory be to God!

1 Corinthians 5:12-13

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Personal Challenge

There are some in the church today that believe it is their responsibility to be judges of those in the world. That is not true. Only God can be the true godly and righteous judge. We are called to be beacons of light into a dark world, shining His light to all. This is bringing His Gospel to the lost. We cannot do this and be judges at the same time. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

1 Corinthians 4:10

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

Personal Challenge

What is the most important thing in our lives? Is it Jesus Christ? If it is not, then something of this world is. Does the world look at us and our everyday behavior, and call us a fool because we have given ourselves over to Him and live as He would live? If not, then we are living for ourselves and not God. I must search my own life and identify those areas where I have not submitted to my Lord and seek forgiveness for holding on to the things of Egypt rather than yielding to the promised land. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner!