Compelled

We are making our way through a letter Paul wrote to Jesus followers in Corinth. Today, Paul provides some important insights.


1 Corinthians 9
16 Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! 17 If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News. 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.


Compelled. Paul felt compelled to tell others about Jesus. If you are like me, there have been times in life when you have been more compelled by you and your wants than by God and his need for everyone to truly understand and experience grace. In this passage, Paul provides some insight on how to reverse that. It all starts with a change of heart ... “I have become a slave to all”. He embraced (and expressed) the heart of Jesus, a servant’s heart (check out Mark 10:45). If you are like me, there have also been times when you struggled with how to “spread the Good News”. Thankfully, Paul offers some insight on how to initiate that process. It begins with building a relationship ... “I try to find common ground with everyone” ... which was a huge change of strategy for him. His approach to introducing people to God used to be a lot more abrasive (check out Acts 9:1-2). A relationship based on acceptance and compassion and grace will allow you to tell others about a God who is accepting and compassionate and gracious.