“The fear of
the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and
instructions”. Proverb 1:7
Proverbs 1
describes wisdom as a person crying out in the streets. What a beautiful
picture. Wisdom does not hide. But shouts Publicly! We must go out and find
that question and build a friendship with it. Wisdom can be a Christian’s best
friend, especially in times of Biblical discussion on a crucial question that
becomes emotional.
The
group/individuals reach an impasse and everything stops because of the question
raised on Doctrine or Mission; which is more important? Who will become the
most influential the ones who thinks all about outreach and think doctrine
stops this effort or the others who thinks the focused should be on the correct
teachings and fail to think about outreach, even though we are in a world of
shrinking congregations surrounded by unbelievers. It seems to me that both
groups have something to learn?
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a
servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To
those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself
under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside
the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ)
that I might win those outside the law. 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 9:19-23
The first question to ask is whether this remarkable testimony
of Paul is something we should imitate, or is this just something that apostles
did—or that missionaries do who must adapt to other cultures?
The answer comes from one
of the clearest commentaries on these words that Paul himself wrote. Look at 1 Corinthians
10:31 Here the issue is exactly
the same as in 9:19 namely, how to relate to Jews and Greeks so as to win them
for Christ.
He says,
Whether, then, you eat or
drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or
to the church of God;
in other words, adapt as much as you can in non-sinful ways just as
I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved. That’s the same as 9:22, "I have become
all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." Then comes the
answer to our question, in 11:1. Be imitators of me, just as I also
am of Christ.
So that answer is: No, this is not a specifically apostolic or
missionary way of life. It is something that he meant for all the Corinthian
believers to imitate. He was imitating Christ, and he wants us to imitate him. So,
hear this message a Word from God for you particularly and not just for someone
else. Ask how you, in your sphere of life today, your 100-foot circle of family
and friends, can use your freedom the way Paul and Jesus did, if by any means
you might save some. So, for me it would be both Doctrine and Mission, do not
water it down but bring it to many as possible in love and in a relevant timely
way, “the real deal of the ministry; drawing on the wisdom conclusion that not
only works, but which receives the blessings of the Holy Spirit based on
Scripture.
God’s mission and our confession show that any church focused
inwardly on itself has, in reality forgot what it means to be church. I think
the phrase,” Outward Church that believe, teach, witnessing, confess and
proclaiming Christ’s church” should be on a banner in our hearts surrounded by
the Good News; A magnet that attracts and draws sinners to Christ. The Gospel
of Christ is Christ’s own Command!
“The Good News”, we are one “Creations One Heart Beat” Genesis 11:6
God Bless You and This Ministry!
No comments:
Post a Comment