Gospel Reading Plan: Acts 9-10
Paul’s First Letter to
the Corinthians: DAY 12
RE-READ 1 Corinthians
8 & 9
In your journal, write
down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to
what God shows you as you feel led.
It is not a strange jump for Paul to move from addressing
sexual immorality to addressing idolatry. These two sins were always closely
connected in Israel’s history, in Corinthian society, and in our own culture.
The question had come up about whether it was lawful to eat food that had been
sacrificed to idols. As believers, they knew that food was food and that idols
were mere wood and stone. Many could eat the food without a guilty conscience.
But others, who had a background of idol worship, saw this as sinful for
themselves. Therefore, Paul urges the believers to refrain from doing things that
might hinder the faith of fellow believers. In chapter 9 he describes how he
himself has done this – he has willingly set aside his rights for the sake of
the gospel. He does whatever necessary to win people to Christ, and he does so
with joy, rejoicing in the blessings that come with their salvation.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1.
It takes self-death to abstain from
something we find perfectly ok if it hinders someone else. But such acts of
laying down our rights can have great impact on the kingdom. Ask God if there
is anything that you need to lay down for the sake of others.
2.
Is there something another believer
does that offends you? Why not think of your offense as something that you can
die to? Lay down your right to be offended today. Ask the Lord to be the keeper
of those feelings as you surrender yourself to Him.
3.
Meditate on 9:14-17. What kinds of
“perishable wreaths” do you find yourself striving for sometimes? How can you
change your focus to an imperishable prize?
