15 But I have not made use of any of these rights. Nor am I writing now to secure them for myself, for I would rather die than be deprived of my ground for boasting! 16 For I can’t boast merely because I proclaim the Good News — this I do from inner compulsion: woe is me if I don’t proclaim the Good News! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if I do it unwillingly, I still do it, simply because I’ve been entrusted with a job. 18 So then, what is my reward? Just this: that in proclaiming the Good News I can make it available free of charge, without making use of the rights to which it entitles me.
19 For although I am a free man, not bound to do anyone’s bidding, I have made myself a slave to all in order to win as many people as possible. 20 That is, with Jews, what I did was put myself in the position of a Jew, in order to win Jews. With people in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah, I put myself in the position of someone under such legalism, in order to win those under this legalism, even though I myself am not in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah. 21 With those who live outside the framework of Torah, I put myself in the position of someone outside the Torah in order to win those outside the Torah — although I myself am not outside the framework of God’s Torah but within the framework of Torah as upheld by the Messiah. 22 With the “weak” I became “weak,” in order to win the “weak.” With all kinds of people I have become all kinds of things, so that in all kinds of circumstances I might save at least some of them.
23 But I do it all because of the rewards promised by the Good News, so that I may share in them along with the others who come to trust. 24 Don’t you know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one wins the prize? So then, run to win! 25 Now every athlete in training submits himself to strict discipline, and he does it just to win a laurel wreath that will soon wither away. But we do it to win a crown that will last forever. 26 Accordingly, I don’t run aimlessly but straight for the finish line; I don’t shadow-box but try to make every punch count. 27 I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that, after proclaiming the Good News to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
RG AUDIO 022515"Wordless Witness" by Author: Duane C. Brush
R.G. Hamilton, a retired pastor I was privileged to know in my first pastorate, served small rural churches beginning in the 1930s. He told me of a woman in one of those churches whose husband never attended. When Brother Hamilton asked about visiting the man church members tried to discourage him, “He doesn’t want preachers coming around. He has thrown several off the place.” Still, he felt like he ought to go.
Arriving at the farm Brother Hamilton saw the man shocking corn in a nearby field. Corn stalks were cut and tied into teepee shaped bunches to dry. It was all hard work. Brother Hamilton took off his coat and headed into the field. Without saying a word he began working alongside the farmer. They labored throughout the long afternoon without speaking. Finally the field was finished. The farmer was the first to speak, “What time is Sunday School?” “9:30,” the preacher responded. “We’ll see you then,” the farmer shook the preacher’s hand. Brother Hamilton left without another word. “They were both there the next Sunday,” he told me, “And the whole rest of the time I was in that church they were there every week.”
Hymn for Today: "Seeking the lost, yes, kindly entreating" by Author: William A. Ogden
1. Seeking the lost, yes, kindly entreating
Wanderers on the mountain astray;
“Come unto Me,” His message repeating,
Words of the Master speaking today.
Chorus:
Going afar upon the mountain,
Bringing the wand'rer back again, back again,
Into the fold of my Redeemer,
Jesus, the Lamb for sinners slain, for sinners slain.
2. Seeking the lost and pointing to Jesus
Souls that are weak and hearts that are sore,
Leading them forth in ways of salvation,
Showing the path to life evermore.
Chorus:
Going afar upon the mountain,
Bringing the wand'rer back again, back again,
Into the fold of my Redeemer,
Jesus, the Lamb for sinners slain, for sinners slain.
3. Thus would I go on missions of mercy,
Following Christ from day unto day,
Cheering the faint and raising the fallen,
Pointing the lost to Jesus, the Way.
Chorus:
Going afar upon the mountain,
Bringing the wand'rer back again, back again,
Into the fold of my Redeemer,
Jesus, the Lamb for sinners slain, for sinners slain.
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