REVEALED WORD TODAY

// READ: 1 COR. 9:19-27 //
19 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.

The Need for Self-Discipline
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. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

MEDITATION:
This passage is a practical revelation of how to balance self-love and love for others. Paul in Verses 19-23 talks about his love for others; the extent he was ready to go in order to share the Gospel with others. But in verses 24-27, he balanced it with how careful he was about his own salvation. He said he beats his body and makes it his slave so that after he has preached to others, he himself would not be a castaway! Beloved are we balanced in this area? Are we not loving others more than ourselves or are we just selfish?
PRAYER: Lord, help me to strike a balance between self-love and love for others.