Apostle Paul honored those he sought to win for Christ. He became as they were to share the gospel and lead them to the truth. Reading through his testimonies in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, we can see that he struggled but remained faithful to share the gospel with others by becoming as they were to win them to Christ.
Paul’s Use of His Freedom
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 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. 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.
In the present time, how do we, as believers in Christ, win people to Him and not allow the cares of this world to choke out the word making it unfruitful?
but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Mark 4:19
What does it mean to be weak to the weak? Does Paul mean weak willed, weak minded, or weak to sin? How does he show the weak he is weak?
How can believers speak to those “not having the law” as though we are like them? How do we reach the lawless? Today’s lawless seem to be in a far away place compared to those in Paul’s time, but are they? They are still in need of the gospel, despite their lawlessness and their sin.
We know God’s salvation is for whomever can receive it and believe in Christ, so how do we reach into each community to find the “ones” to share the gospel with, so we may share in the blessings? We could expect these blessings to be peace and joy here on earth, but perhaps it represents the blessings of leading others to salvation?
These are ideas to ponder as we head into the weekend when people are physically, spiritually, and emotionally weakened by the world. Many states will have the “normal” uptick in violence like that seen in Chicago and New York, because the churches are on lockdown and the gospel doesn’t make sense to the lawless.
Those in the world will do fine speaking of conspiracy and the meaning of it all, but we believers already know that the ruler of this world is the reason for our present state.
Christians are responsible to go out into all the world, including the present darkness we are now living in and share the good news to others. This gospel isn’t about having prosperity blessings of money or increasing one’s righteousness to snub others. No, it is to humble ourselves and put our lives last and learn to love each other, as Christ loved us. This includes our opinions and worldly knowledge of what some call conspiracy.
“Do not call conspiracy
everything this people calls a conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
and do not dread it.
Isaiah 8:12
Conspiracy may have a seed of truth, but often it leads others astray with distraction from the gospel. We should take no part in it. Those in the world will do fine speaking of conspiracy and the meaning of it all, but we believers already know that the ruler of this world is the reason for our present state. This is where prophecy and spiritual discernment can help, if we choose to use it. We must lean not on our own understandings and trust in God to help us navigate the narrow path, through this present evil, unto the day of our salvation.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverb 3:5-6
There is freedom in Christ when we learn to trust God as Jesus did. This freedom will allow us to experience His glory, when we choose to pick up our cross and help others pick up theirs.
God Bless ❤️
Darrell B. Jones