1 Corinthians 9:19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27 Do I have the same mission as Paul? Am I doing something about it or is it just agreement? Faith is made strong by works. There is an expected harvest or profit. In the parable of the talents, all were given at least one talent (life) and expected to turn a profit.
Genesis 45:3,4,5,6,7,8 Joseph lost his freedom, suffered heartache, was tempted and falsely accused, and faced unfair and difficult situations. He learned a foreign language and became an Egyptian in all ways so that he was unrecognizable to his brothers. In all of this, he was still a follower of God and he became all things to all people so he could save some.
What will get me to “all things to all people?”
- Reinterpretation
- Dedication
- Training
- Mission
Reinterpretation
When Paul tells another “I'm weak” or "I'm a Jew" or “I'm a Gentile,” this is a radical statement to the Jews. I am anything that I can or need to be in order to gain some.
Our present world is less religious, but not less spiritual. People are sensitive to spirits, but less sensitive to the idea of the Holy Spirit. How can I reinterpret the Gospel for generations growing up without basic knowledge of Jesus? Jesus reinterpreted the Gospel and the law of Moses so people could understand it. He didn’t change it.
Matthew 15:22,23,24,25,26,27,28 The woman's words stopped Jesus; he wanted to help her. He found her to have great faith.
In Luke, Jesus talks about the good Samaritan as the hero. He is reinterpreting the Gospel so the world understands they can be saved, also.
In John, Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well, she believes that Jesus is the Messiah, and Jesus stays for three more days, preaching.
Paul says, “I don’t abandoned my identity in Christ to do this. I am comfortable with who I am. I bring the principles of the Gospel with me.”
John 8:3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 Jesus reinterpreted the Gospel for the woman accused of adultery.
There is a difference between reinterpretation and compromise. The tension of change (reinterpretation) surrounding traditions, rituals, and doctrine is resolved by knowing I am standing on the Rock. When I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I can be confident that it will be difficult to follow false doctrine. If I remove something simply because I do not understand the value, this can be compromise.
I must reinterpret the Gospel to save some. Repeating something in another language louder and slower does not convey the message. If someone does not understand the jargon or language, this does not mean they are ignorant or dishonest. I need to change my “language.”
Dedication
A dedicated mentality includes humility, a passion for holy living, love for my brother and neighbor, and a willingness to suffer. When confronting opposition, what I value will determine my immediate behavior and decision. What I do illustrates what is inside. Do my values line up with Jesus’s value system? Do I know what Jesus values? Do I understand it for myself? Can I explain it to others?
1 Corinthians 9:24 Everyone is running this race. I run so I can finish. I strive for mastery.
Training
Historically and currently, there are discussions about being disenfranchised (without a voice or vote). This concept is very polarizing. God wants everyone to be franchised. Am I leaving anyone out? I must have a civic life, but God only needs Jesus to pull the cart, not a political party or group that creates disenfranchisement of a certain type of people.
Striving for a crown is not just about me. I will be more likely to succeed in this race if I keep my eye on (stay in contact with) the group leading the race. This group of “front runners” can include other Christians, the Holy Spirit, my values, holiness, humility, justice, and love.
What is my mission? It will determine my behavior. At any point, I have choices about which way to live. What do I value?
Joseph reinterpreted God for the people he was serving. He was in training to franchise everyone. When his brothers showed up, he could now save some.
How big is the franchise I want to see saved? How big is my mission? If it is only my home and church congregation, it should be bigger. Where do I go? Who do I see? Who do I speak to on the phone? Who is my neighbor?
