"Giving Up My Rights" October 11 Readings: 1 Corinthians 8:1-9:14

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 8:1-9:14 

Background:  

Paul turned his attention in chapters 8-10 to "food sacrificed to idols" - a huge issue in that era, but not one we worry about much these days, at least not literally. Those who worshiped idols did so by offering sacrifices. Lo and behold, those idols did not eat much and the leftover meat was sold in the idol meat market - the best steak at the best price. Some Christians said it was no big deal since idols are nothing. Others said that meat given over to the worship of idols was inappropriate for Christian consumption. We don't argue over food from the idol temple, but we do argue over whether one can mow his lawn on Sunday, or what we can eat or drink, or a thousand other issues of Christian liberty.

Paul's primary advice is threefold:

• We have freedom on issues like this. 
• Some have consciences that cause them to be offended by that which others are able to do freely. 
• Christians live in love to build others up, not just to live for themselves. 

Daily Devotional: Giving Up My Rights

We are taught to demand our rights and never to sacrifice them, and in the criminal justice system, it might be a good idea. No one can force me to testify against myself. I have the right to remain silent and to have an attorney. There's nothing wrong with a Christian making use of his rights as a citizen, but Paul also made it clear that there is a time when our rights are to be sacrificed. In 1 Corinthians  9:12, he spoke of his attitude toward his apostolic rights and privileges.

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

As an apostle, he had certain rights and privileges, but he did not claim those. Instead, he put something else first - the gospel of Jesus Christ. What mattered most was that people would hear that Jesus died for their sins and was raised from the dead and that they would come to know Christ. Laying claim to his personal rights was nothing in comparison to the privilege of bringing someone to Christ.

Christ laid down his rights and privileges as the Son of God to die on the cross and we are called to do the same. The essence of our mission is enduring suffering for the cause, being insulted and misused and mistreated and hurt without striking back for the sake of proclaiming Christ.

We cannot always assert our rights and demand our due if living for Christ and accomplishing his work is our goal.

Father, may I be willing to sacrifice whatever I need to so that others may know Christ. 

Consider God's Word:

Are you willing to endure suffering and sacrifice your rights for the cause of the gospel?