In a recent Sunday School class, our discussion revolved around a crazy love for God and what that looked like in our daily lives. This talk led us to contemplate our purposes. Are we called to be servants to everyone like Paul and to spend our time sharing the gospel? Am I called to do all for the sake of the Gospel as Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 “22 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. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
The Bible provides us with many examples to answer this question. God tells us to care for the hungry, the downtrodden, the captives and the widow and orphans. 1 Peter 2:9 shows us we are a holy people so that we may declare the God’s praises. Max Lucado also addresses our purpose in one of his devotionals called Upwards – “You may not wear a clerical collar, but you could, because your work is God’s pulpit.” So what stops us from serving God?
[bctt tweet=”Max Lucado- You many not wear a clerical collar, but you could,because your work is God’s pulpit.”]
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
I think what stops most of us from lives fully committed to Christ is fear. Some fear things like the perceived dangers of mission work in other countries. Some fear came from the feeling that they were unqualified to share the good news of Christ. But, I think many of us fear what our friends and family will think of us if we dedicate ourselves entirely to Christ. We don’t want to be “the religious nut” among our friends. The first chapter of James explains that we should consider it a “joy” to face any trails for Christ, even ridicule from our friends. Paul also encourages us today with his final words to Timothy when we finish our race, a crown of righteousness awaits us and that all our trails will be worth the reward.
[bctt tweet=”I think many of us fear what our friends and family will think of us if we dedicate ourselves entirely to Christ.”]
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world despite our fears or what others might think of us so let’s begin today.
Blessings,
Yvonne – #blogger, #speaker, and #author
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
I love the message of your post today! Being on staff at a church, I have met too many people who attend church and think ‘the staff’ is more qualified to be as Paul describes, “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 do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” It’s really sad as they short change themselves in His Kingdom. I love the quote you use by Max Lucado, “You may not wear a clerical collar, but you could, because your work is God’s pulpit.” Beautifully put! 🙂 Thank you for sharing, Yvonne! 🙂
Thanks for your comments too. Helps us remember it is a responsibility for all of us
I know for myself, the fear comes into play because I don’t fully trust that I’ll be able to accomplish what He desires of me. Which is such a lie because He will equip me for every good work! Thanks for sharing this truth today!
Amen and thanks for commenting
Showing God’s love in each and every moment blesses us and blesses others.
So true. Thanks for the comment
We hate coming out of our comfort zones, but that’s what we need to do at times. We do his work that way. And he shapes us in the process–continuing his work. Great post. God bless!
Thanks Nancy
Dear Yvonne!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. This is an interesting topic. How do we know when we are called to share the gospel? That a question I think many of us have asked ourselves.
I agree with you; fear is often stopping us from walking with God.
Thank you for this reminder,
Blessings!
Edna Davidsen
Thanks Edna. I think we are called to share the gospel every chance we get. Some are called to share on street corners wit strangers, which is a calling for them. But all are at least called to share with family, friends and neighbors, which is what is meant is Matthew 28:19-20
I am glad to see you encouraging us to share our faith! I used to fear sharing my faith because I’d think, “What if they ask me something that I can’t answer about my religion?” Then I found Apologetics, and now that fear is gone. Today, I welcome friendly engaging discussions about why Christianity is true, and what faith can do for a person’s well being.
That is great. I hope more people find the way to share our faith. God bless and thanks for commenting
As a ministry leader alongside my husband, I think one of the most difficult tasks, for me at least, was dealing with people IN the church rather than out of it. Our pastor asked me to write the Bible study material for our church and to use that material to teach the church how to study the Bible inductively. He only briefly explained his intentions to the church body.
So, there I was, in a complementarian church, a woman completing a task that many considered to be for men only and bringing change into how we examined the Scriptures on top of that. That job was TOUGH! I had to endure some rude treatment because I was a woman. Sometimes I stepped into my pastor’s office just to have a good cry. Still, I knew I was serving the Lord in a particular way that he had equipped me. I’m glad I could serve Jesus that way in spite of it all. But yeah, it was quite scary sometimes.
Wow. Thanks for sharing your story. I pray others don’t have to experience anything like that when sharing the gospel
It could only be accomplished by doing it for Jesus. I learned a lot!