Scripture: Josh. 18-20; 1 Cor. 9
1 Corinthians 9: 19-23 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
Observations: Paul “entered the world” of those whom he was attempting to reach. In what ways do I do this? Paul’s efforts center on leading those he meets into a God-saved life, because of the Message. What is the center of my efforts? Pastors like me are charged with equipping the saints for this very work, and to do this work themselves.
Application: The church I serve is surrounded by people living in a different world. Financially, socially, culturally, and racially. I have to find ways to better enter into their way of thinking and living so that I can share with them the salvation of Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the church. At the same time, I should be focusing in on how the church can better relate to those who seek to be a part of the family. Beyond that, we must become more in tune with the community around us “without taking on their way of life” or losing our focus or bearing on what it means to be disciples of Christ–not an easy task.
Prayer: God help me to be more like Paul. Teach me what it means to be fully present to the people around me without taking on their life–with discernment, not judgment. Help me to offer life, and more abundantly. Amen.
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