1 Corinthians 9:19-23 The Message (MSG)
Yesterday, I spent several hours waiting for my SUV to be serviced. Although I went prepared to catch up on some reading and writing while I waited, I was forced to notice the people around me. People are so very interesting; we are all so different and unique. Yet, we share one thing in common: sin. We are all in need of the perfect love and intervening help of Almighty God to save us from sin and death. Every human being needs a relationship with Jesus Christ who alone can bring the salvation we need to enter the Kingdom of eternal life. Therefore, as we engage with people each day, it is extremely important that we seek to remain faithful to the Word of God and speak Truth in love while compassionately listening to the life stories of others. Salvation opportunities are birthed during these times.
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the importance of living in a way that reveals the Message of God’s love and his provision for salvation. As you listen to others, do you maintain a compassionate heart for where they may find themselves, as well as a desire to be in on sharing salvation with them?
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
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!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please empower me to keep my relationship in Christ strong and vibrant while loving others and helping them discover your salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.