Our New Testament reading (1 Corinthians 9) is a portion of a longer discussion. I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 8-10 as a longer section today and then read the same section again tomorrow.

The issue: “Can I eat food sacrificed to an idol?” While that isn’t an issue for us today, there are countless times when we can apply Paul’s approach to our own lives.

His argument reminds me of Martin Luther’s essay, “The Freedom of the Christian” (attached - the essay itself starts on page 12). This essay was built on two seemingly contradictory statements:

•    A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
•    A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all. 

You and I are free. Perfectly forgiven. The commandments don’t bind us anymore. Our relationship with God is not based on our doing things, but on what Jesus has done for us.

Now, as a free person, I desire to live like Jesus, who became my servant, seeking my good, not his own. I want to be servant to all, serving others so that they might be saved.

So yesterday in 1 Corinthians 8 we read that mere knowledge isn’t enough. God is calling upon me to use my knowledge of God’s will with a heart filled with love for those around me.

Today’s reading gives an example of that loving, “perfectly dutiful servant” attitude. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul in perfect freedom gave up his right to be paid for his ministry. His concern was that in Corinth, people would think he was interested in their money rather than in their salvation. So he used his freedom to give up a salary. 

Tomorrow’s reading of 1 Corinthians 10 then also warns that we will need to be careful in our use of our freedom, lest Satan use it to tempt us to go too far and lose the salvation Christ has won for us.


Thus we walk on a tightrope of Christian freedom. Abuse of our freedom can lead to the destruction of the faith of a fellow Christian (1 Corinthians 8). Abuse of our freedom can lead to the destruction of our own faith (1 Corinthians 10). The middle ground is to do all things in love (1 Corinthians 9)... love for God and his Word and love for those around us. 

So again, read 1 Corinthians 8-10 as a complete section today and tomorrow.

Then join Solomon in praying for a heart that hears God’s Wisdom (read 1 Kings 2-3).

Notice how he walks the tightrope of love and justice... justice to those who do wrong (Adonijah, Abiathar, Joab, and Shimei, the insurrectionists) and love to the LORD (note his 1000 sacrifices) and compassion to a woman whose baby was stolen from her. 

Even Solomon didn't walk the tightrope perfectly. He worshipped at the high places. We won't walk the tightrope perfectly either. Only One did. 

So let us approach our God in humble confession and fervent prayer. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you know the times I have fallen off the tightrope into lovelessness, not caring about others, judging them for their weaknesses. You know the times I have fallen off the tightrope into arrogance, ignoring Your warnings and falling into sin. Lord Jesus, thank you for reaching out and holding me safe in your forgiving embrace. In your forgiving love, I am safe on the tightrope. And then Lord, give me the wisdom of Solomon so that in all that I say and do, I walk carefully in love and lead people into a closer relationship with you. Amen.