1 Corinthians 9:19-27 (Free Slave)

For the past few mornings, we've looked at Paul's rights and the ways that he has given up his rights in order to serve Christ well.  We will continue to study these choices of his as well as add some new perspective today.

¹⁹ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  Here Paul reminds us: he is free!  Contrary to the popular opinion, Christianity is not just a bunch of rules that impose on "good living"; rather, there is such freedom in knowing Whose we are and what we are to be doing.  So, here Paul contrasts this freedom with the fact that he has chosen to make himself a slave to all people in order that he might help others come to know Christ.  He is a free slave who willingly continues to work for the Master.


²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.  Here is why he has given up his freedom: in order that he might reach a wide range of people -- the Jews to the Gentiles.  At that time, that list covered everyone!  Paul took on their way of life, but without losing his grounding in Christ.  He did the best he could to see things from their point of view -- he tried to enter their world.  What does it look like to enter someone else's world?  Well, when Paul was with Jewish people, I'm sure he tried his best to respect their culture (just as we should when we travel to other countries or are in the homes of people from other countries).  I would imagine he asked them a lot of questions, showed interest in them, gave more than he took, and listened, really listened to their answers, trying to soak in every word they said so that he could understand their heart.  Without these things, how do we expect to gain the trust and then the ability to share what Christ has done in our lives?  So, how are you with a wide range of people?  How are you with the religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized?  Can you control your facial expressions?  Does every thought push it's way out of your mouth, or can you filter what should or shouldn't really be said?  All people in your circle of influence, can you talk comfortably with them all?  Just ask questions!

²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.  There continues to be one recurring theme in all of this: whatever Paul does, it is to win others to Christ.  And notice why he does it -- that he may share in its blessings.  He knows he gets something out of it, and he's not ashamed to say so!  If you have ever had the privilege of watching someone come to know Jesus for the first time because of a conversation YOU had with them, then you know, blessing barely touches on it!  Also, notice that Paul's not expecting to conquer the whole world.  He just hopes to save "some" it says.  It's so important to keep that in mind -- God doesn't ask us to save the whole world all by ourselves -- but just to impact those in our daily lives that we might be able to help draw closer to Jesus.

A few important principles from this chapter that are important to ministry according to Paul:
1.  Find common ground with those with whom you speak. Whether you're in high school, college, grad school or at your place of work -- flippin' burgers or hookin' up mergers -- that is where God has placed you.  The people around you are important to God, and they must know you care.  Tear down walls by building common ground first.
2.  Avoid a know-it-all attitude.  Remember from chapter 8 that knowledge is not everything.  What matters is love in action.  Be humble.  It's okay if you don't know all the answers...that makes you human...and that is what we are.  Our "knowledge" is but a drop in bucket compared to the unsurprising greatness and knowledge of God.  I know very little, and knowing that is most important.  I don't need to force my "knowledge" on others, but I should love them well.
3.  Make others feel accepted.  Now, one of the big buzz words when I was in middle and high school that now makes me cringe is the word tolerant.  They wanted us to be tolerant of others regardless of our differences; they wanted us to accept and respect others.  The Bible has a word for this: love.  It's all in the way I treat and speak of/to other people.  I don't have to tolerate, accept, or respect another's behavior, but I do need to love them.  The point here is that people do need to feel wanted.  If someone tries a new church and no one talks to them, they will probably not return to the church.  We need to be reaching out, wherever we are today, so that people feel accepted, or perhaps the better word is welcomed.
4.  Be sensitive to their needs and concerns.  This takes listening and an others-focused mind set.  How can you help?
5.  Look for opportunities to tell them about Christ.  This day in age, we are so weak, myself included, when it comes to sharing our faith because we don't want to offend others by speaking the name of Christ.  But Paul was anything but concerned about offending someone with the name of Christ!  In fact, Christ told us that His name would be offensive to people.  No surprise there!  But there is power in His name, my friends.  No, I'm not going to stand on a street corner with a megaphone, but as we build relationships with those around us, it is incredibly important to share this news.  We once were lost and dead, but now we are found and alive forever because of Jesus Christ.

For this is the most important news the world has ever or will ever hear!  And your life IS the megaphone.