What If?

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

What if Paul’s attitude was our attitude? Not just a hand full of us either, but every single one of us. And what if Paul’s attitude was our attitude all the time? Not just one or two hours a week, but twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. I’ll tell what if! We’d be like Jesus! We’d be perfect! We’d be loving our neighbor as ourselves! We’d be living as God created us to live! We’d be the holy, chosen, set-aside people God desires and wills for us to be! So why not jump on board? Why not start now? Why not strive to be the man or woman God expects us to be? Are we not new creations in Christ? Is not the old sinful Adam or Eve slain through a drowning death that took place at our Baptism? Do we not stand before Almighty God as righteous children through the blood of the slain, sacrificed Lamb of God?

To the weak I became weak. . . What a stretch! Weakness is . . . well . . . weak. I don’t know about you, but I’m not fond of my weaknesses. In some cases, I’m even embarrassed by them. Why would I become weak? . . . that I might win the weak . . . Really? Did Paul really just say he was winning people? That doesn’t sound very Pauline! Is Paul straying into a theology of glory, pointing to himself and his works and efforts as bringing about salvation? I think we know Paul better than that! You would be hard-pressed to ever find Paul crediting himself with anyone’s salvation! Paul is talking about getting himself out of the way so the pure and full truth of the Gospel will shine through! Let’s not get bogged down here – Paul is allowing people to see his weaknesses trusting that the Holy Spirit will do something strong and powerful – bring non-believers to faith in Jesus Christ! But wait, there’s more! . . .I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some. . .(emphasis highlighted by me, but intended by Paul). Paul puts himself last. He puts the needs of everyone before his own needs. He especially prioritized the needs of non-believers.

What if? What if you and I were to live out our faith in this same way? What would it look like? Let’s try something . Let’s make this interactive. Let’s actually answer the question in this paragraph. What would it look like if we expressed our faith in Christ by especially putting the needs of non-believers before my own needs? Email me your responses to this question at pastoraker@paducah.com. Facebook your answers to me at www.facebook.com/corey.aker. Call me at 442-8343. Write me a letter and send it to 211 S. 21^st St., Paducah, KY, 42003. Stop by and visit at the church. You get the idea! Let’s discourse about our faith! Let’s talk about ways our faith is played out in our daily lives and community! Tell me about what you are already doing! Share what you would like to do!

. . .I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. . . What other reason is there? This is what you and I are all about anyways! Paul’s words are our words and our lives! This is who you are. Keeping the light of the Gospel hidden is not an option for us. We cannot do that. Not only is it sinful, it is harmful to our neighbors. Paul lets nothing stand in his way from presenting the hope he has in Christ with people. Let us pray the Holy Spirit will ignite our hearts to share Paul’s faith with everyone – Paul’s faith is our faith! We are all one in Christ! All praise to Christ who has made us One and has made us His own! All glory to Christ for the work that He has done, continues to do, and will always do in and through you!