Freedom To Restrict Our Freedom Series

The Need for Discipline. (9:24-27)

In these last three verses he’s saying that although he’s free, he lives a disciplined life. Like runners in a marathon, or Olympic gymnasts, Paul goes about his mission with iron discipline. A runner who stops to enjoy the view won’t win the race.

Paul’s single minded in his life. He’s prepared to go without, not insisting on his rights, if that will help him to achieve his mission. Paul’s running to win. He’s under no illusions about how hard it will be, being a slave to all; conforming rather that insisting on his rights. Going without, so that others gain from the gospel. Its hard work. But if one of the revered, and important Apostles can do this, so can the Corinthians.

He’s giving them a gentle nudge – if I can do it, so can you. If I can go without insisting on my rights, and being correct and free to do something for the sake of another. How about you give it a shot.

Rather than the Strong insisting on their way because it’s their right. Try tempering your freedom and rights with love.

Christian maturity consists not of knowing your rights and freedoms, but on giving them up for others

Conclusion.

There are two principles from Paul’s example.

Paul uses his tempers his freedom, and gives up his rights to win people for Christ. And he tempers his freedom and gives up his rights as an act of love towards other Christians.

Free to win others for Christ

Paul’s primary application is about using winning people for Christ. He wants to make it as easy possible for people to become Christians, and refuses to let his own rights become an impediment for them. In verses 12 and 22 Paul opens a window into his heart for us. What drives him, what moves his to give up his rights is his desire to see people become Christians.

Whenever he came across a people group, or a town, Paul saw people in need of the gospel. People for whom he’d be willing to give up his rights if it would make it easier for them to come to faith. And he scrupulously avoided the impression that all he really wanted was their money.

I can’t answer for you, but we need to ask ourselves what rights do we have as a church or individuals that we cling to and protect, when they can actually get in the way for people to come to Jesus?

We’re within our rights to do them, but if the Apostle Paul could refuse his rights, so can we, if it will help others to faith. And what Paul did, and calls us to, is nothing less than the example of Jesus himself. In Philippians 2, Paul calls the church to consider Jesus. If anyone had rights it was him. God himself, and yet he didn’t stand on his rights, but became a servant for our sake. Taking on the role of a servant. God humbled himself, even to the point of death. If no-one less than Jesus can do this for our sake, we can do it so others can benefit from his death and resurrection for us.

Free to love other Christians.

His other concern, is about using our freedom and overlooking our rights for the sake of other Christians.

This is hard for us – our society treasures individualism – I’ll fight to protect my right to do something even at the cost of hurting others. Like people on Jerry Springer, saying the most appalling things, our rights are sacrosanct – inviolable.