Corinthians 9:19-23
“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
I don’t know about you, but often the inner promptings I get from God to reach out in love to someone are difficult. I could be preparing a article, a lesson at school or I could be at a conference learning a new computer task or football technique and “Boom! There it is! Love that person!” Now let me poke a bit deeper and I confess that evangelism is frequently hard for me for a number of reasons. I find I’d rather talk to someone about sports or politics or even theology. Plus the statement that God loves you and has sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you isn’t joyfully received by all people? It isn’t. It wasn’t received two thousand years ago in Corinth, and it isn’t received today by millions of people in America. Evangelism is not as easy as I’d like.
I want to suggest that our inconvenience with living out the Great Commission is tied to the Great Commandments. How so? The best evangelism, as nearly every statistic tells us, emerges from love and out of a relationship. Whatever we call it, the best evangelism is nurtured by love.
When Jesus was asked by a scribe what was the greatest commandment of all, Jesus recited a confession of Jewish faith which is called, “Schema” and then, rather surprising to the scribe, added an obscure command from Leviticus 19:18: “The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:28-32). Because Jesus amended the historic creed of Israel, the Shema, into a love God and love others command, we can call this “confession of faith” the Jesus Creed.
The essence of living before God is to love God; the essence of living with others is to love others. If we recite the Jesus Creed, as often as the ancient Israelites did it works into our Soul.
Now my ponder: What’s the different between those who let the Jesus Creed work into their DNA and those who let it work through their minds? For me the answer is rather natural: love of God and love of others, the kind of Great Commandments that make the Great Commission our delight that tremble my heart; not one’s based on fact, proof and given enough time, we will solve our problems only through our human intellect.
Those who live the Great Commandments discover themselves setting up Jesus Creed feeders for their neighbors. Well, Paul has a word for us: “To the weak I became weak to win the weak for Christ. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I might share its blessings.” In these words God is telling us to live with a sensitive ear. Without compromising your Christian convictions, learn what it is to be adaptable and be all things to all people that they might see Christ in you. When that unbelieving or confused person visits with you, he or she might not agree with your Christian belief, but they will know that you are different, for the Spirit of Christ dwells in you.
God Bless You and This Ministry!!
