Daily Bible Plan - 1. Corinthians

20th August 2025

Devotion by Deaconess Ruth

Theme: Unleash to save the never dying Soul

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

Title: Christian freedom versus responsibility

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Bible passage: 1. Corinthians 1 - 27

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Devotion

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul teaches the balance between Christian freedom and responsibility, showing how he lived out these principles in his own life and ministry.

In the first 18 verses, he explains that exercising our rights is not always the best course of action for the sake of the Gospel. Paul would have been within his right to take a wife (v. 5) or to stop working so that the church would support him (v. 6). Instead, he gave up these and other rights, exemplifying self-denial and sacrifice for the benefit of others, showing that the true calling of a Christian is to prioritize the spiritual needs of others over our own comfort.

“I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.”(1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV)

So our freedom carries with it a level of responsibility, compelled by the love of God in our hearts, to ensure that as many people as possible are won to Christ. Paul carried a deep burden for souls and refused to be intimidated by people’s status. He was flexible and adaptable to all people for the sake of the Gospel.

“To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.”(1 Corinthians 9:20 NIV)

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Run to Win!

In concluding the chapter, Paul likens our Christian life to a race. Even athletes running for a prize that perishes undergo strict training and self-discipline with a mindset of winning.

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away.”(1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NLT)

How much more should we, who are running for an eternal prize that will never fade away, be disciplined, purposeful, and determined in our spiritual race? Paul makes it clear that this is not a race left to chance. He urges us to run with discipline and purpose, denying ourselves, bringing our bodies under control, and working out our salvation with fear and trembling.

“But we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”(1 Corinthians 9:25–27 NLT)

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Prayer

Father, thank You for the grace to use my Christian freedom responsibly, in a way that wins many more souls to Your Kingdom. As I run the race set before me, help me to run with the mindset of winning, never losing sight of the eternal prize that lies ahead. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Application

• What personal rights or privileges are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel?

• Like a serious athlete, what spiritual discipline are you willing to commit to in order to strengthen your faith and witness?

  
  

Amen,

Deaconess Ruth

Fortified City Church | Basel City Church | Global Prayer Hub