1 Corinthians 9
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Giving Up Rights for the Gospel

Paul emphasizes the importance of surrendering personal rights for the sake of advancing the Gospel and winning souls. He adapted to different groups—Jews, Gentiles, and others—without compromising the truth of the Gospel. His goal was to build rapport and avoid unnecessary offense, teaching that Christians should be willing to lay down their personal preferences if it means reaching others more effectively. However, this adaptability never extended to altering core Gospel truths.

Adapting also means adjusting how we communicate based on our audience—using simpler language for children, showing humility when speaking with the elderly, and using wisdom with the educated. Love enables this kind of flexibility, guiding us to find the right “key” to each person’s heart. It’s through this Spirit-led connection that God’s Word can break through barriers.

The Danger of Worldliness

There is a real danger in becoming “all things to all people.” While isolation can make it hard to connect, worldliness dilutes the distinctiveness of Christian identity. The aim must be to influence the world, not be influenced by it. Christians are to help unbelievers move closer to God rather than slowly becoming more like the world themselves.

Flexibility is permissible in disputable matters, but believers must remain firm on essential Gospel truths. The ultimate goal is the salvation of souls, which means willingly restricting certain freedoms if doing so helps rather than hinders others.

The Honor of Gospel Ministry

Being called to share the Gospel is a tremendous honor. Though God could have accomplished His work through angels or other means, He chooses to use flawed, imperfect people to display His glory. The transformation of Saul into Paul stands as a powerful testimony of God’s grace and power. It shows that anyone can be used mightily by God.

Rekindling Passion for Souls

Apathy, laziness, and the false belief that soul-winning is only God’s responsibility can extinguish the passion for evangelism. While God is sovereign, He has clearly commanded believers to take part in reaching the lost, as outlined in the Great Commission. Past failures in evangelism should not paralyze present efforts. In fact, a deep belief in the reality of God’s wrath should stir urgency in preaching the Gospel. The Gospel not only offers blessings but also provides the way to escape judgment.

Those who are truly born again will feel a burden for the salvation of loved ones. If we see someone we care about rejecting the Gospel, there should be a loving anxiety that drives us to pray, speak, and share the truth. Sharing the “taste” of the Gospel becomes a natural outflow of love and concern for others.

Evangelism begins with prayer. Prayer leads to action—whether through speaking, sending a message, or being a better witness through our daily lives. As special opportunities like gospel rallies approach, prayer and preparation become even more crucial.

Running the Heavenly Race

Christians are called to run the race of faith with the determination of a runner pursuing victory. This requires self-control, clarity of purpose, and an eternal mindset. A casual or aimless approach risks disqualification, reminding us of the need to remain alert and focused on the prize: eternal life.

The prize is not worldly success but the crown of righteousness. Pursuing anything less renders all other gains meaningless. As Ecclesiastes declares, everything else is vanity. Jesus also warned that gaining the world at the cost of one’s soul is a tragic exchange.

Salvation is by grace through faith, but genuine faith will produce fruit. It’s important to examine ourselves to ensure we are truly in the faith, because merely holding a Christian title does not guarantee participation in the eternal reward.

How to Run Well

To run well, we must give our all. We begin by securing saving faith and leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit. God never intended for us to run the race on sheer willpower—He supplies the strength we need to endure and finish strong.

Running well means laying aside anything that hinders us, even things that may be lawful but are spiritually unhelpful. We fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, especially when we feel weak or discouraged. His sacrifice and the crown He promises give us motivation to press on.

Self-discipline is essential. We must learn to say no to our flesh and master our desires, aligning with Jesus’ call to remove anything that causes us to stumble. Training in godliness involves being set apart in our thinking, speaking, and actions. We rely on the Holy Spirit for self-control, trusting that God works in us to accomplish His purposes.

God has saved us so that we might live fully for Him. Our race carries eternal significance. We run not just to finish, but to win souls—by all means necessary—trusting in God to help us finish well through the strength of the Holy Spirit.