For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 1 Corinthians 9:19 – Paul in this chapter is seeking to teach the Corinthian church of his rights as an apostle and preacher of God’s word. He had rights to be treated as an apostle and he had rights to be supported as a minister of God’s word, yet Paul was making it clear he was often forgoing many of his rights so that the work of the Gospel could continue unhindered. Our verse above is an expression of how Paul willingly sacrificed to spread the Gospel, he made himself “a servant to all.” To those under the law he became like them, and to those outside the law he became like them. Some though when they read this passage see it allowing us to sin so we can better connect with sinners to share the Gospel with them. Know that’s not what Paul is saying here. Yes, Paul changed his approach with different people, but he remained holy throughout it. Think of it this way, I was at youth camp last week. During the week I was goofing off with kids, going hard at camp games, and jumping around to camp songs. Why? To connect better with the kids there so hopes of gospel conversations may happen more easily. Yet that approach wouldn’t work with the senior adults at our church, I’d need to change my approach to connect with them to foster better gospel conversations with them. This is what Paul was doing. He knew he was free to partake it Jewish traditions and free to not, so if doing them or not doing them led to better gospel conversations, he’d do whichever one brought more success. See then the different types of people around you and be willing to use your freedoms in Christ to connect with them. Not sinning, but knowing in Christ you can be around all people, talk with all people, and it’s not wrong for you to be in those spaces sharing the gospel there. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3116
Question To Ponder: What is a people group you may struggle to connect with for the sake of the Gospel?
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