1 Corinthians 9
“Self-control” is an underappreciated
concept in our society. We eat what we want expecting no consequences. We
dislike the pain of exercise so we don’t make ourselves do it. If we find
something to be “boring” – that is, it doesn’t tickle or entertain us – we toss
it aside without finding its value.
The word we translate as self-control in
this passage expresses power or lordship. Paul is urging us exercise the power
of Christ’s forgiveness in our lives and choices. However, this is not the asceticism
of monks and hermits. Gerhard Kittel writes that this word, “simply tells us
that for the sake of the goal toward which he strives, the commission which he
has been given and the task which he must fulfill, he refrains from all the
things which might offend or hamper. It is not for his own sake, or for the
sake of any necessity to salvation, but for the sake of his brethren that he practices
[self-control].”
Self-control then is an act of love for God
and for our neighbor. It is looking at our behavior and asking ourselves, “Does
this hurt my neighbor? Does my behavior reflect badly upon the kingdom of God
and my Savior?” What is more,
self-control is the actions of bearing wrongs against us, sacrificing for the
sake of God and neighbor, and reflecting Christ’s likeness. The same desire
that moved Jesus to pray, “not my will but yours,” when He was in the garden
moves us.
Why is this important? Simply because of
this: it is in Jesus’ self-controlled actions that we experienced the love of
God. His humbling of himself to be born of a virgin and become human is key to
our salvation. His choice to endure the cross and scorn its shame brought us forgiveness.
His actions revealed His love for the Father and God’s love for us. We live in
that love. It is our hope. It is how we know we have hope! And God’s love in
Christ changes us by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Self-control for us as Christians is not
about earning salvation – we already have it because Jesus loved us so much
that He died and rose for us. It is about dwelling in that love, and that love
showing forth in our lives so others may experience it and come to believe in
Jesus.
Holy Spirit, make me self-controlled that my
life may be a reflections of God’s love as it shows forth through my actions. In
Jesus’ name; Amen.
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