Paul begins chapter 9 by saying “Am I not free?” He then gives a discourse on the rights available to him based on his station in life. He is a free man (not a slave of another man) and an apostle (it could easily be inferred that he is also referring to his status as a Jew and also as a Rabbinical Scholar...).
After reminding the Corinthians of who he is and what rights are available to him, Paul says that he has not claimed these rights, but he and Barnabas (his ministry partner at the time) “endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ” (v.12). He then says in verses 19 and 22-23:
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them...I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
Paul recognizes the rights he has, but he freely and willingly sets them aside, enduring MUCH hardship and suffering, for the sake of sharing the gospel with the lost. He gave up his reputation and comfortable lifestyle, and traded it for beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, and scorn and derision from his former peers. All of this he willingly faced, so that he might be an instrument in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles. All of this for people he didn’t even KNOW.
Talk about stepping outside of one’s comfort zone! Are we willing to step that far out for the sake of the lost? Or are we going to turn our faces and ignore the fact that people all around us are dying and going to Hell?
All that Paul gave up in order to share the gospel with others he could give up willingly because he realized that there is more than what we see and experience right now. He surrendered his rights to walk in the freedom of abiding in Christ, because following God’s will, being a part of His Kingdom, leading “the life the Lord has assigned” (7:17), brings a freedom unimaginable unless you’ve experienced it.
Seek Him, sisters! Seek His assignment for your life, seek His calling, and walk confidently in Him as you fulfill the purpose He has for you. There is no greater freedom than surrendering to His perfect will!
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