THE KING’S BUSINESS
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actually did take to be absolutely sure “that he might not by any means be rejected.” He was not running “uncertainly.” The precautions which he took and which he knew he took made it certain that he would not be rejected. But somebody may say, suppose he had not buffeted his body and brought it into bondage. But he did buffet his body, and you can prove anything by supposing something to be the case that is not the case. And as he kept his body under and brought it into bondage, so may we buffet ours and bring it into bondage, and that is just what we must do if we would not be set aside, we must buffet our bodies. The word translated “keep under” in the A. V. and “buffeted” in the R. V. means literally “hit under the eye.” That is what we must do: we must give our body a black eye. We must let our body know that we are Masters and will accept no dictation from it, and we must “bring it into bondage.” We must let our bodies know that the Spirit which dwells within us is the master and not the body. So must everyone do who would gain the prize. Tuesday, Nov. 6 . 1 Cor. 10 : 1 - 5 . There is a very close connection between chapter 10 and chapter 9. This is brought out in the word “for” (R. V.) with which it begins. In chapter 9 Paul has empha sized the need of exercising watchfulness and self-control lest one in spite of all his privileges as a member of the church of Christ, and even as a preacher of the Gospel, become “a castaway” or “be rejected” (R. V.), that is, be disapproved, set side. In chapter 10 Paul brings in the Israelites as an illustration and proof of how possible it is to be rejected even after great privileges have been enjoyed. Paul cites five peculiar privileges of which “all” Israelites were made partakers, and then cites five points in which they sinned and missed their blessing after all. This is certainly very solemn and full of warning for us. These things were written for examples for us (vs. 6 , 11). Paul repeats
Just so it is not merely a question whether the use of tobacco is good or bad in itself; but will the use of tobacco help me or hinder me in running well the Christian race. If it is likely to hinder me ever so little, I will not touch it. I must win this face at any costs. I will win this race at any cost. But the Christian is not only temperate in wine and tobacco, but “in all things.” He renounces everything that will detract one ounce from his running power. That is a temperance that many “temperancé people” have not learned. The earthly racer goes in the race “to obtain a corruptible crown.” We do it to obtain “an incorruptible crown.” What sacrifices men are ready to make that they may gain some fading earthly prize, and how strangely men hold back from sacrifices that bring an unfading heavenly prize! Men are ready to deny themselves the luxuries and comforts of life, to leave home and friends, for an earthly Cfown, but it is only here and there that one is found to make such sacrifices for an incorruptible crown. Monday, Nov. 5 . 1 Cor. 9 : 26 , 27 . There was no uncertainty in Paul’s run ning. He knew absolutely that he was run ning to win, and there was no aimless “beating of the air” in his fighting. There was one that he was striking at and he aimed his blows to hit that one. He buf feted his body and brought it into bondage (R. V.). He had an object in doing it. That object was, that he might not “by any means” after that he had “preached to others” “be rejected” himself. Some read this 27th verse as if Paul entertained at this time a fear that he might be lost at last. There is no hint of such a thing in the verse. That Paul had no such fear is plain from 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:18, and other passages. In the first place he is not talking here about salvation, but about a crown. But even if he were talking about salva tion he does not hint that he has any fears that he would lose his salvation. On the other hand he tells the precaution that he
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