Choices – Part 4
Choose To Live A “Dis” Free Life
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Introduction
This is part four of my series “Choices” and is titled “Choose to Live a “Dis” Free Life.” Our foundational Scripture from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus; not with uncertainty. Thus I fight; not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
This morning I will focus on verse twenty-seven. This verse sums up the point that Paul was making in this whole chapter – we need to practice self-discipline (following the rules) in order to stay in and win our race (winning souls for Christ.) Self-discipline is defined as “the ability to do what is necessary without needing to be urged by someone else.” This means that we make the decision to do what is right without anyone telling us – it is within us to know. We follow the rules when we are alone and when we are in the presence of others. This is important because our lives are played out on a stage. Others are always watching how we live. If we individually take a close look at our lives, how we’re living and the choices we’re making, do our lives reflect the Christ we claim to serve? Better yet, ask this question: “Does my life inspire others to want to have a relationship with Christ?” As you know, Christians can be some of the happiest, joyful, God-praising people you’ll ever meet. They can also be some of the most beat down, depressed, sad, angry, despondent people you’ll ever meet. Both groups claim Jesus as their Savior, but He is represented in their lives differently. As you think of your answer to my first question, now consider this second question: “If you were the sinner (non-believer) and you had a choice, what qualities would you look for in the lives of Christians that would motivate you to become a one?” This is the heart of what was captured in the ninth chapter of First Corinthians.
The answer to these questions are linked directly to what Paul said in verse twenty-seven. He said “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) Let’s examine the word “disqualified” more closely.
I. Being Disqualified
The word disqualify is defined in the Encarta dictionary is “to make or declare somebody unfit to do or take part in something.” When Paul wrote this to the Church in Corinth, it meant “disapproved after testing.” The one fact that both definitions makes clear is that the disqualification is not something that happens beforehand, but afterwards. In other words, being disqualified is not based on ability, but on discipline. Let me explain.
The word disqualified is a compound word consisting of the two words “dis” and “qualified.” I want to review the definitions in reverse. Qualified is defined as “having the abilities, qualities, attributes necessary to perform a particular job or task.” When you are qualified to do something you have what it takes to actually do it. You are able and ready to do that particular “something.” The word “dis” is a Latin prefix, and please listen closely to this, indicating “reversal, negation or removal.” When this word is attached to another word, it speaks to the cancellation of whatever the word that follows it hold. Consider these examples of word whose meanings were changed after “Dis” was added to them:
• Dishonest: Were honest once, but not now; broken rule!
• Disgrace: When our sins (rule breaking) becomes public we fall “from” grace and become a disgrace to others!
• Disagree: to fail to agree.
• Discourage: When we do the opposite of what we have been commanded to do which is to encourage one another.
• Disease: Sick – you’re no longer “at ease.” When we break the rules of how we treat our bodies, we can become sick.
And what can I say about dishonor, disobedient, displease, distort and disturb? All of these words represent a state of reversal, something being lost after it was once present. Adding the word “dis” to another word means that what once was has now been cancelled and/or reversed! Do you see this? These are just a few examples to illustrate the point that we can only be disqualified if we had previously been qualified! As it pertains to a race, a person cannot be disqualified because of their abilities. If a person meet the qualifications they are able to compete. When you consider what we have been given through Christ, we have met the qualifications necessary to run in our race. Our abilities and qualifications get us in the race but it’s our self-discipline that keeps us in it. In a race, disqualification comes by breaking one or more of the rules of the race. In other words, we either willfully cheated or unintentionally broke a rule. Regardless of why it happens, the results are the same, we become disqualified to compete for the prize. This is what Paul was talking about in verse 27. He practiced self-discipline so that his lifestyle would not disqualify him from competing for the prize in his race. Remember, disqualification is not based on skill or ability! It’s based entirely on an athlete willingness to follow the rules!!! If we’re in this Christian race and our jobs are to win souls for Christ, it literally means that we become unfit (disqualified) to do that if our lifestyles contradict our testimony. Now what is interesting is that this is something that most Christians and sinners know without really thinking about it. Consider the following statements that we make which means the same things as being disqualified:
• “I’ve got to get myself together before I can say something to someone else.” This statement means that because of whatever it is we are doing we are unfit/unqualified to talk to someone else about their situation.
• “I am not in a position to judge.” Translation: because I know what I have done or am doing, I cannot speak about someone else’s situation. In other words, I am unfit/disqualified.
• “Who am I to talk.” Translation: I can’t say anything because I am doing my “own” stuff. I am unfit/disqualified to talk to them.
These are just three examples based on the English definition of the word disqualified. I am not saying that we should be running around getting into everyone’s business trying to get them to believe that our lives are “the” example of what their lives should be. What I am saying is that our lives should not give any sinner (the person without Christ) a reason to disqualify us from being able to talk to them about their life choices. Our lives should point them directly to Christ – regardless of our life situations. We discussed in Bible study a couple of weeks ago about how our personal decisions (while not sinful in and of themselves) could be seen by someone else and cause them to stumble. Our lifestyles should be one of self-discipline. But this is what we really need to understand: someone who does not know Christ can disqualify us from talking to them about Christ is we have a lot of “Dis” present in our lives.
II. A Sinner Can Disqualify Us
Do you know that someone who lives in the world has the “right” to disqualify us from talking to them about Christ if they know that our lifestyle is not what it should be? Consider what being disqualified by the sinner (a non-believer) looks like? If we are trying to witness to someone and we are doing the same things they are doing, they can disqualify us and our testimonies. Why? Because no one wants to be told how to live or the changes they need to make in their lives by a person doing the same things as they are. You can’t tell me how to pay off my car and live with no car payment if you have never paid off a car! However, you can tell me about living without a car payment when I know you have experience in that area. You are “qualified” to talk to me about that. Remember that saying, “I can’t hear your words because your actions are too loud!” This is the image that we should visualize when we are making choices in this world.
My personal testimony is this: I lived a life of sin once and I enjoyed it because my flesh was happy. However, through Christ I was saved and a change took place within me. Some changes happened immediately, others took more time as I learned, accepted what I was being taught and chose to yield. That’s right, I chose to yield to the Spirit of God versus walking in my flesh and my own knowledge. When I am talking to you about what God can do, I am not speaking from a position of being superior to you, I am speaking from experiences which in some ways are much lower than you will ever imagine or experience. My changed current lifestyle should point you to Christ, not make you wonder if being a Christian is worth it. When I am struggling, you should be able to see me struggling and getting my strength and encouragement through Christ. You should see my strength source as Christ, not me or those who stand with me. Does this make sense?
When Paul talked about living a disciplined lifestyle, he talked about self-denial. He talked about not giving in to the desires of the body so that his testimony will keep him in the race. In other words, when we deny our flesh, we stay within the rules of the race. When we give in to our fleshly desires, we violate the rules of the race and therefore become disqualified. This disqualification comes with a price until such time as we choose to abide by the rules. No one enjoys playing a game or competing against known cheaters. If you knew someone thought you lived a life full of “Dis” (honest, obedience, grace, you name it) because your profession of Christ does not match your lifestyle (in their opinion) would it change anything about how you choose to live? Consider the following Scriptures:
• Galatians 5:24: “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
• Ephesians 4:22-24: “That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
• Philippians 3:8: “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”
• Colossians 3:5, 9-10: “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry….Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.”
When we read these verses we understand that we have to overcome our flesh and that we must resist temptations. But we also must remember that we are not alone. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul wrote: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” In other words, even when we are tempted we have been given a way out. So when we fall to temptation it’s because we chose not to go through the escape route God had provided for us. When we practice self-discipline, we are better able to follow God through the routes that He has set up for us to keep us safe.
It is so very important that we understand that how we choose to live matters to those who are watching us. We are constant witnesses of the good ness of Christ. There are people who will be drawn to Christ through our lifestyles who may never tell us that it was how we lived that gave them hope. Likewise, there are people who may forever choose to reject Christ because of our lifestyles and they too may never tell us. Since we do not know one way or the other, we should choose to live each day as if it is our last and do the best we can to bring others to Christ.
III. If You KNEW Someone Was Watching
Would you live differently if you knew someone was watching you? If there were witnesses (and there are) to all of the “Dis” in your life, would you be willing to depart from some of them? I want you to consider what Paul said in the tenth chapter of First Corinthians. These verses address the whole issue of our responsibility to others in how we choose to live our lives. Let’s begin with verse twenty-three.
1 Corinthians 10:23-33: “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake; FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS. If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience' sake. But if anyone says to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's; for why is my freedom judged by another's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”
In these verses Paul makes it clear that while some things can be done lawfully, it does not mean they are profitable. He says in verse twenty-four that we should seek the good of our neighbor versus our own good. In other words, even if you can do it and have a clear conscience before God, what is the impact on your neighbor? He goes on to give an example of eating food sacrificed to idols in front of someone who is “bothered” by this. He makes it clear that the Christian could have done it with a clear conscience and not be sinning against God, but he recommended that they refrain for the “conscience sake” of the person who was bothered. Many people would read this and become discouraged thinking they have to live their lives based on the opinions of other people. Well, in reality, in some cases we do and it’s a small sacrifice for someone spending eternity with God because we chose to deny our flesh.
In verse twenty-nine, Paul asks the question, “…For why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?” He answers the question in verse thirty-one, “Do all to the glory of God.” By doing all things for the glory of God, this automatically take some things off our lists of things we “can” do but “won’t” do because we will not do anything that would hinder anyone coming into His kingdom. I am not trying to put anyone in prison, but literally freeing you to walk in the fullness of the relationship that you have with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As I close this morning, I am asking that you choose to follow the rules for your race. Do not get disqualified because of your lack of self-discipline. Understand that our time here on earth is short relative to eternity and we have a lot of work to do. The only way we will strongly finish our race is to start removing the “Dis” from our lives. I am working to remove mine and I hope you are also. Stay in the race. Win your race!
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
