1159. Paul's Personal Practice

Paul's Personal Practice

"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others. I myself should be a castaway" (1Co_9:27).

The 9th chapter of I Corinthians concludes with a remarkable reminiscence. Paul is led by the Spirit to relate how he won his race and fought his fight against the very carnalities set forth in the earlier chapters of I Corinthians. Finally he says: "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection." His reason for so doing is this: "Lest I should be a castaway."

In the opening verses of chapter 10, we have an example of carnality and its harvest–the failure to "enter in." This is what "a castaway" means. Let us profit by Paul's words:

1. "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection," What then should we do with our "old man," our "flesh," our "carnal self"?

(1) We should put it off (see Eph_4:22).

(2) We should crucify it (see Gal_5:24).

(3) We should act as though it were not–"Yet not I, but Christ" (Gal_2:20).

(4) We should reckon it dead (see Rom_6:11).

(5) We should have no confidence in it (see Php_3:3).

(6) We should walk in the Spirit then we shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (see Gal_5:16-17).

2. "Lest I should be a castaway." Paul has in mind the losing of a most gracious and blessed reward. The Bema judgment and its Judge were before him and he longed to stand approved. Let us all so run that we may obtain. Let us all so fight, not as one who beateth the air. We must press toward the "mark." We must seek to know Christ, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, becoming conformable to His death. For then, and only then, can we enjoy the prize of the high calling and reap the harvest of the rewards which come to the spiritual.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR