Note 2024/05/11 - ‭1 Corinthians 9:1-27 KJV‬ - The Unseen Servant

 

‭1 Corinthians 9:1-27 KJV‬

[1] Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? [2] If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. [3] Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, [4] Have we not power to eat and to drink? [5] Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? [6] Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? [7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. [11] If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? [12] If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. [13] Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? [14] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. [15] But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. [16] For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! [17] For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. [18] What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. [19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. [20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [21] to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. [23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. [24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.9.1-27.KJV

Note 2024/05/11

For many, I suppose it would have been pleasing if this chapter was never written; and I was contemplating not to leave a note on this, for the sake of the contents of it. Remember, Paul was a trained Pharisee, He knew the Law received by Moses from GOD. Now you might say, we are not under the Law, and you would be right. But is the Law not the very measure by which GOD made His will known to us? Is the Law not the measure of Good and evil? The labor of the temple worker was as labor in a field, just as it is for him that works with God to bring the lost back home. Is there then no value in Spreading the Gospel, preaching, teaching and ministering unto others according to the Spirit?

I say again, I myself would rather not write a note on this chapter. But it is about reward, and the reward that is due to be received for labor. If a slave, does you master let you go without food; if a master, do you let your employee fade away depleted? Then who does the servant of the LORD labor for? I know, some may bring up the matter of the hirelings; and so would I for that matter, but how do we then just ignore this chapter? Do we tear it out?

So, for the sake of others that labor for the Lord, that they may receive what they are due. Do you receive in robbery? At the cost of another, without fair exchange; would you partake in thievery? What is work, what is labor; what comes by dedication and effort, even great concern and intercession? Paul is right you know, he that labored at the altar of the LORD was a partaker of the meat burned thereon. It is indeed in the Law.

But, as far as it is for me; like you I pray to the Lord my God for my daily Bread. His grace is sufficient for me. He gives me rest, when others have no peace; while I may work, minister and serve, while others sleep and rest. He brings peace to my soul and comforts me in all things. But I do not live a common lifestyle, often frowned upon by others. Indeed there are those that look upon me as worthless, but may the Lord forgive them, for they do not understand. I do not hold a charge against them, how can one know something you never partake of? See, I take care of things others would rather not; while the need for it to be taken care of is great. My strength, my faith and my endurance is sustained by God Himself, by the Holy Spirit He gave. I lack in nothing I need, though my need may be just a little. 

So too, would I rather not speak on these things. Indeed, while I have personal involvement and knowledge of the things this chapter describes, I would rather not speak on it so no charge be recorded at all. But, part of my duty each day is to make these notes for you, as we read through the Bible. I have received a reward, it is just not the kind of reward that can be traded at a store.

Friends, I do not write this to accuse anyone. Instead, I would rather ask; what do you live right pass without notice? Which are the things you may be too busy to notice? If one gives up a career to follow the Lord, is his dwindling income not obvious? How would the church that you attend keep their lights on, if you do not contribute? How would the minister eat, if you do not bring offerings? But we are too swift to judge and say that Paul was a tentmaker, and so he sustained himself. Yes, he did, but as he says here it is to lessen the burden to those he ministered unto. Here he says I fact the opposite, he says that he that minister and share in the Spirit can reap in carnal things.

I do not know how things work in other parts of the world, but here in South Africa, we have carguards at the mall and in the streets. We pay them to take care of our cars, don't we? What then of those that takes care of the state of your soul? Do they not deserve charity too?

From myself, I know that I often speak on matters in a way man would rather not hear it. I know that the words that I am given often speak to the heart of man on things they would rather have function differently. So why would I add to your burden, when looking at yourself inwardly is so much harder than judging others? And I know this because it speaks to me too, I go through these transformations with you as we receive from the Word of GOD and by the Holy Spirit.

Do you remember when we read the book of James, that faith without works is dead? I do. The Word of GOD is to transform us from compliance with worldly ways into someone who lives in compliance with the Will of GOD. It goes upstream from the worldly ways, it replaces the effort of survival in a harsh world to one of trust in GOD. Don't you know that I live each day with miracles, for with pen and paper you could not calculate how I eat each day. And I stand witness to that each day, I receive in ways many would think impossible. I am indeed sustained by GOD. My concern is not what I will eat, I know I will eat. Instead, my focus is that you may eat from the Word of GOD. Also, there are those things I have in duty, that is private between the Lord and I. Some may see it, some may know it, some even depend upon it.

I say again, I would rather have not written here today on this. But I am not in charge of my own life, neither of my duties, nor the contents of what I write on and what not. I am one that follows, I do not lead.

May the peace that surpasses all understanding be part of your day.

Shabbat Shalom

Daily Verse

(From YouVersion Bible App)

‭Ruth 1:16 KJV‬

[16] And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 

https://bible.com/bible/1/rut.1.16.KJV

Consider this:

How do we follow Christ Jesus?

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If you want to read more like this, consider reading an earlier note that can be found at:

https://houseofbread4u.blogspot.com/2024/05/note-for-20240501-2-thessalonians-31-18.html