In verses 24-27, Paul compares himself to a runner in a race, which the Corinthians would have been very familiar with as the Isthmian games (similar to the Olympic games) were held in Corinth every year. Just as the runners in these games must discipline themselves in order to compete, so must Paul, and the Corinthians, in the interest of their souls, discipline themselves against the lusts of the flesh. Paul sets before himself and the Corinthians the danger of feeding the flesh and giving in to its desires.
Do you see how committed Paul is to spreading the gospel?! In order to see his brothers be saved, he will give up his rights to eating certain foods and receiving compensation; he is willing to submit himself to the law or live outside of it (while still under the law of Christ of course) so that some might come to Christ; and to top it off he says that he disciplines his body to "keep it under control" so that he would not be disqualified from preaching.
O that we would have the same burning desire for others to know Christ! Paul's life has been so changed by the Holy Spirit that he is brimming with a passion to share the gospel with others.
Is your life like that? Do you treasure Christ so much that you're willing to go to the lengths that Paul would in order to save people? If not, why?
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