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Post by michelle on Feb 6, 2007 16:26:14 GMT -8
10/05:
There are a couple of verses that really speak to me on a personal level. Verse 16, "Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" and verses 24-27 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
I've been taking this year to reflect on my life and contemplate my future. Am I doing all that God is asking of me? Is there something I'm supposed to be doing for Him that I am not? How can I serve Him best? How does He want me to serve him? I can't say that I've figured it out yet, but I do feel like I'm headed in the right direction. When I read verse 16 I am reminded that I need to do what He asks of me, regardless of what that is. And if I don't do it, I think I will always feel pangs of guilt for falling short of all that He intended me to be. And when I read verses 24-27 I think, no matter what it is that I am supposed to be doing for His Kingdom, I need to do it will all my heart and soul.
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Post by Josh on Feb 7, 2007 18:01:02 GMT -8
10/05:
Paul says in 9:9-10 that an OT law had a deeper spiritual significance than meets the eye. Just thought I'd point this out for when we as a group study the Law. The interpretive approach of Paul and the early Fathers in interpreting the OT is to 'read between the lines'. I think Biblical scholars have become somewhat afraid to do this, as it seems like we might take things out of context. Of course, there is a sense in which something can be so stretched out of context that it becomes ridiculous. But Paul was not afraid to find powerful 'spiritual' understanding of laws such as these.
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Post by nathaniel on Feb 7, 2007 18:02:11 GMT -8
10/05:
when i read 9:7-12 i was pretty impressed with Paul's abiblity to decipher that point out of that OT law. that must have taken some serious meditation, critical thinking, and open mindedness. it was kind of inspiring, and shed some light on a new way to think about/read the OT. maybe new way isn't the best way to put it, but you catch my drift. i also really like the idea that paul brings up in 9:15-18 about not just doing what is required, but going above and beyond. this seems to come up a lot with paul. from "everything is permissable"-but not everything is beneficial, to a stong brother giving up liberties, to not excepting the amenities from the church, to not taking on a wife. it seems like when we take on this idea of going above and beyond is when we make the biggest impact. on seperate note, 9:18 is kind of funny to me. it seems like he's saying, by preaching voluntarily his reward is to...(drumroll please...bldddddddd) preach the gospel voluntarily. relating it to 9:24-27, isn't that kind of like saying your reward for running the race is that you get to run the race? not that that's not sufficient enough of a prize, i suppose, it's just kinda funny.
p.s. Michelle that's a pretty tight place to be. just asking those questions at times can be hard, let alone being ready for the answers. go girl.
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Post by Josh on Feb 7, 2007 18:03:35 GMT -8
10/05:
That's an exciting place to be, Michelle. Here's to making the most of it!
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Post by sarah on Feb 7, 2007 18:04:34 GMT -8
10/05:
Brave questions that I know God will answer. I think in many ways he has been very busy answering them in your life.
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