Tag: 1 Corinthians 9

“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.” (1 Corinthians 9:24, NIV)

There is a misconception that has spread like wildfire in the Christian Community: Because Jesus Paid it All [redeeming us from our sins] on Calvary’s Cross, once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we don’t have to do anything beyond attending church to receive Eternal Life.

Jesus says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12, NKJV).

The Amplified Translation: “Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness).” (Revelation 22:12).

Throughout the Bible, God reveals that He has given us spiritual gifts and innate talents to use for His Honor and Glory. “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6).

“By His own humiliation and agony, Christ has paid the purchase for our salvation, and He has a right to our services.”

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

“By the body we are to understand [lustful desires], appetites, and inclinations. These the apostle Paul set himself to curb and conquer, and in this the Corinthians [members of the Corinth Church] were bound to imitate him…”

“I say then: ‘Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’ ” (Galatians 5:16).

“[We] must fight hard to overcome fleshly lusts, and not to surrender to uncontrolled appetites.” Fleshly lusts also includes the relentless pursuit of our desires, material possessions, wealth, and relationships with the intent of self-gratification.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).

“You are the light of the world…You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13-14).

As “Light and Salt of the Earth” [Matthew 5], we represent God’s Love by possessing the Fruit of the Spirit, including self-control, which represents Christ’s Righteous Character:

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, Amplified Bible).

As “Light and Salt of the Earth,” God has given us the responsibility of spreading “The Message of the Cross.”

Sadly, many believers cannot fulfill their God-given Spiritual Assignment of witnessing to others, because they do not have a heart to Heart relationship with Jesus Christ. And from not studying the Holy Scriptures they do not know or understand God’s Character, His Commandments, and Righteous Precepts.

Walk In Love – Walk In Light – Walk In Wisdom

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ And Jesus replied to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.'” (Matthew 22:36-38).

Love for God is the foundation and the catalyst of our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. To love God is to know Him, to honor and revere Him, and to put God First in every aspect of life.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” (John 8:12, ESV).

Following Jesus requires that we love Him more than we love ourselves, and this includes our spouse, and our family. We do not neglect them, yet, we do not compromise because they are not committed to following Jesus with faithful obedience.

Dedicated followers of Christ are willing to live a daily sacrificial life of self-denial and faithful obedience. “I will not sin against God,” is the True Believer’s Creed.

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational act of worship.” (Romans 12:1, Amplified Bible).

Sacrificial Commitment: The daily personal worship of praying, fasting [at least one hour per day], and surrendering oneself to follow Jesus cannot be accomplished without self-denial, self-control, and Jesus’ Wisdom, Strength and Power, given to us by the Holy Spirit.

“Spiritual Fasting is an earnest tool for seeking God’s Wisdom, breaking self-dependence, [and sinful habits,  behaviors, and self-seeking pleasures].”

Practical Ways to Incorporate Spiritual Fasting: At 8 pm, I cease all food intake, with the exception of water [if thirsty]. At 10 pm, I pray for God’s forgiveness of sins, asking for blessings of safety while sleeping, and to reveal His will for my life.

The next morning, I whisper a prayer of gratitude for the blessing of a new day, breaking my fast with lemon water. At times, I feel no hunger for 3-4 hours, so I delay eating.

Spiritual fasting draws us closer to Christ and gives us spiritual and mental clarity. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to distinguish God’s Voice above our thoughts and others’ voices.

From daily fasting, we are rewarded by Jesus with the Wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes. Not only do we gain a higher spiritual focus, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the self-control to stop former habits and behaviors. Yes and Amen!

Before engaging in spiritual fasting for an extended time, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will guide you regarding the duration of your fast. This is especially important for those with medical diagnoses that require taking medications within definitive time parameters.

“See then that you walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15).

Continuous Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with Spiritual Wisdom, Discernment, and Strength. Without daily Spiritual Reinforcements, it is impossible to recognize and overcome Satan’s continuous covert strategies and temptations.

We receive our greatest Spiritual Blessings through personal worship. Our love and gratitude to God for our Spiritual Gift of Time is revealed by separating ourselves to worship Him one-to-one in Spirit and Truth.

From praying and eating The Bread of Life and drinking The Living Water [Studying The Holy Scriptures], God, the Holy Spirit converts our heart, and transforms our mind and character, preparing us for eternity with Jesus Christ.

Sanctification is performed by the Holy Spirit, who requires our willingness to actively participate in our daily spiritual growth and character transformation into the likeness of Christ. Let go of people, places, and habits that fail to honor God!

“Be holy for I Am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

If our lives do not reflect the daily sacrifice of self-denial, and the willingness to surrender with faithful obedience to follow Jesus on the Narrow Path of Righteousness then we are only carrying the label of being a Christian.

Brothers and Sisters, we are living in the Last Days [2 Timothy 3], Run, Run, Run the Spiritual Race with Conviction and Courage in the Power of our Lord, Savior, and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Who Promises:

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne.” (Revelation 3:21).

Lord God, as we strive to run the Christian Race, we ask You to empower us with Your Divine Wisdom and Strength. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Lord, teach us how to be holy, and guide us in our thoughts, spoken words, and decisions, so we always bring Glory and Honor to your Holy and Righteous Name. Jesus, please be our Strength, lead us, guide us, correct us, and protect us. Thank You, for Your Amazing Love. We ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

© 2026 STEPS 2 Success With Spiritual Solutions Ministry