Today's Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:19

Wednesday, September 19, 1956

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
— 1 Corinthians 9:19
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Grace frees us from the law of sin and death. However, our freedom is not to be used selfishly - not for rebellion or self-gratification. Instead, we must use our liberty redemptively, just as Jesus did (Philippians 2:5-11). We can voluntarily limit that freedom to help others still caught in bondage to sin and false ideas about God, as the apostle Paul emphasizes in this verse. We can use the freedom of the Spirit to be transformed to be like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). We can honestly submit ourselves to the needs of those who don't know Jesus to win some of them to the LORD and his grace (1 Corinthians 9:20-23). Let's use our freedom to rejoice, redeem, and bless.

My Prayer...

Thank you, great and mighty Lord, for setting me free by your grace. I know, dear Father, you gave this gift to me at great cost to you - the humiliating torture, death, and burial of your Son, Jesus Christ. But you also raised him triumphantly from death! So use me, dear Father, to bless others who have not yet found their deliverance and freedom in Jesus so the Spirit can raise them triumphantly with Jesus to a fresh new life. I pray this in the name of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.

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6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Free, Yet a Slave
Illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:19
Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:19 -- Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
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Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, lover of all peoples, Though I am free from all men, let me become a slave to all, that I may win many, many more people to the cause of..."
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To Win Some
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"Dear Disciple, Disciple-makers live to do one thing: they live to make other disciples! I gave the Great Commission to My original disciples, and I....."
See All 6 Related Resources about 1 Corinthians 9:19

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Corinthians 9:19 — Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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