What has God called you to?

I saw 1 Corinthians 9:16 yesterday and Paul says, “woe to me if I preach not the gospel”. If you look at the context, in 1 Corinthians 8 he talks about a misuse of “freedom”. Yes, we are not bound for salvation by a “do or don’t do list”… but says that many things can take the position of “lord” or “god” in our lives. Then 8:6, “yet, there is ONE God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.”

The decisions we make then are not based on a desire of gaining, or fear of losing, but on how does it reflect on our one God, one Lord, and then on the one God who lives in us to empower and guide us, the Holy Spirit.

So, when we sin, and when we use our “freedom” frivolously, we sin against Christ and we can wound others, Paul says.

Then we get to 9:1 and he says, “Yes, I am free”… yes, we can do many things in our “freedom”, but sometimes v12 Paul says, “… nevertheless, we have not made use of the right; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.”

Now Paul is teaching a principle here. Let me stop and say that Paul is talking here about “freedom”, but personally he is talking about his “rights” to demand financial support, or a better position, but that’s not what caught my attention as I read it this morning… v14 – “yes – those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel… but v15 “for my part, I have used none of these rights… would be better to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast.”

Paul is being a jokester her… he is saying IF I can boast about anything, it’s about NOT getting paid… that’s it. I can’t boast about what I do…

v16 For if I preach, I have not reason to boast, because I am COMPELLED to preach, and woe to me if I do NOT preach the gospel 17 If I do it willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a Commission

What this is what has my attention.

What has God called you to? Do THAT… willingly or unwillingly, doesn’t matter, still do it. Willingly is happier, but unwillingly we still must do because we have a commission, a call to carry out.

We are ALL told in Matthew 28:19-20 to “Go” – most literally the understanding is as you go … make disciples, baptize, teach… the nations

We are all told, You will be my witnesses… Acts 1:8

We are all told, Love one another, as I have loved you… by this they will know you are my disciples – John 13:34-35

Willingly or Unwillingly – DO.

Your way of doing and your opportunities will be different than someone else’s but do. Then, WOE – look out, danger ahead, if you do not do… willingly or not… do what God has said, do.

For Paul, for me, “if I do not preach the Gospel”… but for you that may be a different call… but do that, do it there where you are.

v19 I am free… I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people.

As simple for me sometimes if I’m on a golf course playing alone, someone may be there and ask, “do you want to play together?” I then in my heart as the Lord, “do I need to play together with this person?” I ask because if the Lord says “yes”, then it will affect how I play. A conversation is going to come up, “what do you do for a living?” When I tell them I’m a pastor, conversations begin. Sometimes I just want to play golf, “Lord what do you want me to do.”

Then Paul finishes this passage with words that mean much to me these days…

v24 Run in such a way as to win the prize

v25 everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything… to receive… a crown

v26 I do not run like one who runs aimlessly…

v27 I discipline my body… so that… I will not be disqualified

I sort of went a long way… but I’m a runner, I’m training for Marathon #4, but MY race is different that others. I’m running MY race, so I do what is necessary to finish MY race… and woe to me if I do not. I have a training plan… I have a treadmill for when the weather won’t allow the training outside. I work the plan, as best I can, because the race is Coming. I run the miles, outside if possible, but on a treadmill if not. Why? So I don’t disqualify myself from completing the race when the day comes.

I seek to become what I need to become to do what I’m called to do.

What are you called to do? Woe to me, if I do not…