6. In laying down his rights.
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.AG)"> 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 Cor. 9:19-23)Some people think of the gospel as a moralistic system that is meant to keep people in line. Others think of it as the license to do whatever we want to do in the name of freedom in Christ. However, the gospel does not fit either of those categories. That is what Paul sought to demonstrate as he looked to remove the hindrance of religious presuppositions when evangelizing different groups. To the Jews he set aside his freedoms. To the gentiles he shows his freedom as one who is no longer under the law in the Jewish sense.
7. In his changed life.
the Holy Spirit,
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way... by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; withT)"> the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left... (2 Cor. 6:3-5a, 6-7)Surely if there is power in the gospel to save people from their sins, its work in an individual is a great testimony. In this text Paul points to some genuine fruit that comes from salvation as part of his commendation of the gospel.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
No comments:
Post a Comment