Thursday, April 22
Run to win
Scripture: Judges 9-10, 1 Corinthians 9
1 Corinthians 9:19–24 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Observation
In this chapter, Paul was discussing his right for financial support as he shares the gospel. He was willing to forego that right for the good of others and the sake of the gospel. In that context, he describes his willingness to forego all his rights (be the slave of everyone) to win as many as possible. This was his goal: to win as many people for Jesus as possible, whether Jews or Gentiles, weak or strong. All people—that was his target. “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” His goal: “to win as many as possible.”
He was running to win, and that required self-discipline and sacrifice, which he describes in v. 24-27. But winning the race wasn’t just a task; it was about people. It was winning as many people as possible for the Kingdom of God. Make disciples! Help people find and follow Jesus—win as many as possible.
Application
It’s always good to define the win. What does a win look like for you? In your family, your marriage, your friendships, your work, your business, your finances…your life? “Run in such a way to get the prize.” What’s the prize? “Run to win.” What’s the win?
For Paul, the win was to help as many people as possible follow Jesus. That’s been my win too. And to some degree, it is every Christian’s win, since all of us are under the Great Commission to make disciples of all people.
Many years ago, I listened to a speaker from a gospel mission (like UGM in Spokane)—a gospel shelter for the homeless and needy. His personal goal was to never go to sleep unless he had led someone to Jesus that day! Wow! I would have lots of sleepless nights!
But what would it look like for me to live out that goal: every day, win someone for Jesus? Help someone find and follow Jesus. It would get me out of my self, out of my comfort zone, out of my isolation.
Paul lived with that kind of laser like focus. He ran to win. As many as possible. I want to do the same!
Prayer: Help me Lord! I’m so comfortable in my life. Push me out of my comfort zone. Give me this passion to win as many as possible, to run to win!