completely flexible so long as his basic commitment to Christ was not violated. He was willing to submit himself, even though he recognized that he was not under the Taw as an obligation before God. That particular portion of his life was settled once and for all when he found Christ as his per sonal Saviour. There were limita tions that he placed on himself so that he might reach these individ uals. He was sensitive to the cultur al problems of his day. He always applied principles to the problems and then acted accordingly. The Apostle's entire goal seems to be summarized in the words, "That I might gain the more" (vs. 19). The idea behind this in the original carries the concept of profit, advantage or something de sirable for others. He was always ready to consider the needs of oth ers. Paul wanted to find out what was most essential and most prof itable to others, and then tried to reach them with the message of salvation. The Jewish person, un der Old Testament law, or the Gentile living apart from any re strictions, both needed to know Christ as their personal Saviour. The weaker believer also needed to be strengthened in the faith. This maturity is absolutely essential. Since people in all these categories need help we must be careful that we do not exclude any group. Paul was vitally interested in the success of the Christian commis sion laid upon him (9:16). He took most seriously his God-given re sponsibilities. We must surely do the same in our own day. The Apostle was interested in receiving the incorruptible crown (vs. 25). This is a reward which will be giv-
faults pointed out to him and he takes a very haughty, defensive at titude the spiritual problem can be monumental. We are counseled in Scripture to be concerned with those not only about us but also those in author ity over us. While some of these things have nothing to do with our relationship to Christ they can have a profound effect upon our effec tive witness before others. We can not live unto ourselves. There must be a concern for others. We must always make sure that we are fo cusing upon our own needs first before we try to straighten out everybody else. Cod calls us to lead lives which are effective and strengthening to those about us. We ought to be on our knees in prayer thinking through these mat ters, studying carefully the Word of God so that we might live wisely concerning those who know not the Saviour or are weaker brethren in Christ. Both need our help. The Holy Spirit can lead us and the Bible can instruct us. While as believers we are free from justifying ourselves before God, still we must live under a holy obligation. This calls for a dis ciplined life as the athlete in Paul's day. The Apostle shows how he practiced restraint in the 9th chapter of I Corinthians (vs. 19ff). Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he felt that he was a debtor both to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews, to the educated as well as to the uneducated. Paul had focused all of his en deavors on reaching these people with the message of salvation. He had voluntarily restricted his free dom because of his love and devo tion to the Lord. He wanted to be
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