Daily Devotional for Sunday, July 13

Christian Liberty – Paul’s Appeal

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible,” 1 Corinthians 9:24, 25.

Our church is involved in planting churches in the Amazon region of Peru. This work requires us at times to get creative in our approach because of the locations of the different villages, limitations due to weather, transportation difficulties, lodging and accommodations to carry out services. It seems that no matter where we go to teach and preach, there are people asking us to start a church in some other far out village. Our missionary has used his liberty to become what the people need him to be so that the gospel can go out to as many places as possible while still maintaining a Bible based structure to everything. This work is being stretched in many different areas because of the appeal from others and the Lord to get the Word out so that others may be saved.

The apostle Paul’s appeal to us in bringing others to Christ is to be a co-partner with us in this endeavor and doing it for the gospel’s sake (1 Corinthians 9:23). He desired for us to run in the race to reach others for Christ, and to run in such a way as to win the race (verse 24). The real prize for winning this race is the salvation of souls, and this prize can never be taken away. To be able to run this kind of race, a person must be willing, at times, to give up some of their liberties and take themselves out of the way so that the message of Christ can get through (verse 27).

QUESTION

Are you willing to use or give up your liberties and prepare for this kind of race; the race for souls?

Tim Chambers