Passage of the Day - 1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. [read chapter]

Just this morning on my way in to CedarCreek I saw two men preaching on the street corner. Sins, damnation, and hell were the verbal bullets they were shooting at the busy intersection. While the onlookers returned fire with middle fingers, strange looks, and honks. I am not sure why I get uncomfortable with this picture. Something deep inside says that everything about that is wrong. Something is desperately missing.

Here in Paul’s address to this church he is reminding the Corinthians why he is an apostle and the way he lives his life. Though he is free -not bound to anyone, he becomes a servant to all to help point them toward Christ. Why?

Though hell is not a place I would want anyone to go, and heaven sounds like a splendid place, the goal of this life is to know Christ and be changed by Him. Our mission is to point people there - and, yes, heaven and hell are involved but never the focus. Jesus is, period. Paul says that he does everything he can to point them to Christ. Yes, that does involve repentance however Christ is still the point. It is his work alone that saves, transforms, and in the resurrection gives us hope that though this life is valuable it is not all there is.

These street preachers totally miss the point when the emphasis is on condemnation, hell, and sins. Gospel means good news. Gospel points us to Jesus. Which leads to the question: what kind of Gospel do you share with those around you? Are you a carrier of Good News or Condemnation?

Beyond that Paul speaks very challenging words for me: “I try to find common ground with everyone…” to help them towards Christ. If I am honest, I love to find common ground with people who are just like me. And I become full of excuses and blame shifting when it comes to people who are very different from me. Sometimes I am even tempted to believe some people won’t understand or be responsive, essentially denying them the chance to respond to the Gospel. For this I need to repent and seek opportunities to connect with those in my every day life.

Who are some of the people in your life you have been avoiding or not willing to connect with? Perhaps today, this week, you should make a connection and begin serving, learning, and conversing with them in hopes to share Christ with them.