People spend much time in training to be an expert in sports, business or particular hobby. They do it to win a championship, receive a pay raise/ greater position, or award. These rewards are temporary. God has a better idea. He wants you to gain an imperishable wreath like winning the Olympic games, except it impacts you throughout eternity. How can you live with purpose and discipline so you can receive this eternal reward?
Exercise Freedom in Christ if Action Does Not Violate Biblical Command
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Thinking that one knew something was not the same as really knowing it. Those loved by God were known by Him. Do not be concerned about eating food sacrificed to idols since through God all things came into being. Those with a weak conscience became defiled when they ate food sacrificed to idols not knowing that food did not bring them closer to or farther away from God (I Cor. 8:1-8). Exercise your freedom in Christ as long as action does not violate a biblical command.
Restrict Freedom in Christ if Action Causes Weaker Brother to Sin
A person cannot allow their freedom to become a stumbling block to the weak. It became sin against Christ if someone with a weak conscience was encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols after seeing a brother eating in an idol’s temple. This action destroyed and wounded the weak brother’s conscience when they saw the strong eating. Do not eat meat if it caused your brother to fall into sin (1 Cor. 8:9-13). Restrict your freedom in Christ if an action causes a weaker brother to sin.
Refuse Financial Support if Hinders Spread of the Gospel Among Your Ministry Target
Seeing Jesus and developing the church in Corinthian qualified Paul to be an apostle among them in the Lord. He did not exercise his freedom to take a wife or receive financial support even though he sowed spiritual seed among them. The Law said to not muzzle an ox while it tread grain. The plowman ought to share in the harvest. Paul did not want to hinder the gospel of Christ even though the Lord commanded those who preached the gospel to receive their living from it. God compelled Paul to preach the gospel out of obedience to Him. Volunteers could receive a reward but Paul discharged the trust committed to him. His reward was to preach the gospel free of charge without asserting his right for financial support (1 Cor. 9:1-18). Refuse financial support if it hinders the spread of the gospel of Christ among those whom you minister.
Determine Target Audience of Church
Paul made himself a slave to everyone. His purpose was to win as many as possible. He became a Jew to win them. He became like those under the Law, to win them. He became like those not having the Law, to win them. To the weak, he became weak to win them. He became all things to all men so by all possible means he might save some. He did this for the sake of the gospel so he could share in its blessings (1 Cor. 9:19-23). Become like your target audience that you seek to reach with the gospel.
Pursue Godly Discipline to Earn Eternal Reward
Pursue strict training to run the race in order to receive the prize of an eternal crown. Do not run aimlessly or fight like a man beating the air. Make your body a slave so after you preach to others, you would not be disqualified for the prize (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Discipline yourself to live godly with purpose so you win an eternal reward.
Study Full Counsel of God to Resist Temptations
Israel was baptized into Moses in the cloud and the sea when they drank from the spiritual rock that was Christ. God was displeased with most of them as they were scattered in the wilderness. These things occurred as examples to prevent future generations from setting their hearts on evil things. Refuse idolatry like those who indulged in pagan revelry, sexual immorality where 23,000 died in one day, testing the Lord where some were killed by snakes, grumbling where some were killed by the destroying angel. These warnings were written down upon whom the end of the ages have come. If you think you were standing firm, be careful you don’t fall. No temptation seized you except what was common to man. God was faithful to not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. He provided a way out so you could bear it. Flee idolatry. Drinking the cup and eating the bread at the Lord’s table signified participation in Christ’s blood and body. In contrast, the pagans’ sacrifices were offered to demons, not God. One cannot partake in the Lord’s table and table of demons (1 Cor. 10:1-22). Study all of Scripture to learn how to resist various kinds of temptations through your relationship with Christ.
Determine Effective Discipleship Process
Even though everything was permissible, not everything was beneficial and constructive. Each one should seek the good of others, not his own. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience since God owns everything. If an unbeliever invited you to a meal, eat without a guilty conscience. If you learn that meat was offered in sacrifice, do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you and the other man’s conscience. Do everything for the glory of God, but do not cause anyone to stumble in the church of God. Seek the good of many, not your own so they may be saved (1 Cor. 10:23-33). Seek what is beneficial and constructive for the glory of God so others may be saved.
How to live with purpose and discipline so you receive an eternal reward (imperishable wreath):
1. Exercise your freedom in Christ as long as action does not violate a biblical command
2. Restrict your freedom in Christ if an action causes a weaker brother to sin
3. Restrict your right to receive financial support if it hinders the spread of the gospel of Christ among those whom you minister
4. Become like your target audience that you seek to reach with the gospel
5. Study the Old Testament to learn how to resist various kinds of temptations through your relationship with Christ
6. Seek what is beneficial and constructive for the glory of God so others may be saved
