In recent times there is a craze about being all about you and what gives you peace and what works for you and giving back the same energy people give etc etc. Forgive me but I am not a big believer of that!
After confessing that Jesus Christ is my Lord, i’m constrained to always do things the way i’d want to, or go for what i think i deserve, or always look out for my rights and privileges. Sometimes simply because your life is for God some people who under normal circumstances may not be “deserving” of your time or attention or even may not share your same beliefs will come your way. Can you give up your desires just so that others can see Jesus in you? Slow down and read this passage of scripture.
“Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?
Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
1 Corinthians 9:3-27 KJV
Perhaps our passion for God is best measured by our willingness to set aside our rights and preferences so that we “might save some”. When Paul addresses the Corinthians, he reminds them that he is an apostle and has certain apostolic rights. Citing Deuteronomy, Paul reminds the Corinthians that those who labor have the right to expect that they will share in the fruits of that labor.
Yet, Paul has chosen to set aside these rights opting instead to “endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ”. Paul’s reward does not come from asserting his rights, but from presenting “the gospel free of charge”.
Not only does Paul set aside his right for payment, but he also makes himself a “servant to all, that I might win more of them”. Paul understands the position he occupies in Christ. He understands that he is no longer “under the law,” yet he becomes “as one under the law…that I might win those under the law” . Despite being “under the law of Christ,” he becomes “as one outside the law…to win those outside the law. He becomes weak to win the weak .
Driven by a passion to “save some,” Paul becomes “all things to all people” . As he seeks to share in the blessings of the gospel with others, Paul is careful to maintain control of himself “lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”.
Rather than demanding we get what is rightfully ours all the time or grounding our identity so deeply in our selfish thoughts and desires, may we imitate Paul. May our passion for winning others to Christ press us not to become unfaithful but to be wise as we set aside our own rights and preferences so that “by all means, I might save some” .
Xo,
Zoe🌟