To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I Corinthians 9:22
I Corinthians chapter 9 begins with the phrase, “Am I not free?” and in verse 19 Paul continues, “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible.”
We all have rights. These rights are derived from a full spectrum of sources that includes everything from the Constitution of the United States to freedom in Christ. However, a right is not a command, an entitlement or a standard to measure the most clever litigator, it is a responsibility and a conduit to spread the Gospel.
Paul was not exempt from critics among his contemporaries and the churches he began. One of the strongest criticisms he faced was the fact that he never drew the salary of a missionary, choosing instead to support himself as a tent maker. The Bible clearly provides for the support of ministerial personnel and Paul doesn’t discredit this. Rather, he refused to give anyone a reason to imply he ministered for any purpose other than the Kingdom of God.
Christians should define their freedoms by the image of Christ that those around them must see in order to trust and believe. There are more important things than rights…….such as someone else’s eternity.
Love,
Gretchen