Tuesday, July 11

Run with purpose

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:19 For since I am free from all I can make myself a slave to all, in order to gain even more people.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win.

1 Corinthians 9:26 So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.

Observation

Paul was a man on a mission. His goal was to “gain even more” people for Christ, to win as many as possible. He was willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. 

Paul loved athletic metaphors and used them often. The early church fathers adopted this from Paul and did the same. They spoke of being athletes for Christ, champions for Jesus. 

Paul used athletic metaphors here. He was running to win—with purpose, not uncertainly or aimlessly. “So I run with purpose in every step.” (NLT) Or to use a boxing metaphor, he wasn’t shadow-boxing, just beating the air, but each blow was strategic.

There is a clear connection between winning the race and gaining more converts. That was Paul’s race, his purpose: to win as many as possible to Jesus. 

Application

This speaks to me on a couple levels. 

First, run to win, run with purpose. I feel like there are many days that I’m just shadow boxing, running aimlessly, going through the motions. I’m not attacking life with the same dedication and devotion to purpose that Paul did. What would happen if I started every day with a clear sense of purpose, mission—and then pursued it all out all day. 

Second, gain more people for Jesus. This was Paul’s mission and it’s been mine, although I’ve lost steam. I’m not as determined and focused as I used to be. What would happen if I prayed every day for the opportunity to lead someone to Christ, to share the gospel, to make a disciple—and then did it.

Run with purpose in every step.

Prayer: Lord, I love You. Rekindle my fire. Renew my passion to share the gospel with people, to win as many as possible. Use me today! Help me run to win—“with purpose in every step.”

More: 1 Chronicles 24-25, Proverbs 16, John 11