Daily Devotionals

Be Brave: Week 6 - Thursday

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. 1 Corinthians 9:22

When I was a seminary student, one of my first professors offered a warning to my classmates and me. "You all will be tempted," he said, "because of the intensity of your course load, to disconnect from the world. You will be tempted to stop serving and reaching out to those who are lost. I plead with you not to do that. Continue entering in to the world. Continue serving. Do not disconnect, I plead with you." My professor gave us this warning because he knew how important it is to enter into the world and stay engaged with it. After all, it is really difficult to reach anyone who is lost if you have not been willing to enter into the world. The apostle Paul, the most impactful missionary to ever live, understood this well and wrote about it in 1 Corinthians 9.

In this chapter of 1 Corinthians chapter 9, Paul wrote about his ministry approach. "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 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. 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" (verses 20-21). In other words, Paul stated that he sought to live in such a way that he entered into the world of those whom he wanted to bring to Christ. He continued his thought in 1 Corinthians 9 by saying, "Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some" (verse 22). In other words, Paul did his best to enter into the world and culture of those he ministered to so that he could share his faith most effectively.

I think Paul would have agreed with my seminary professor who pleaded with us not to disconnect from the world. If we cannot enter into the world of those who we are ministering to, we will not be nearly as effective as we could be. As you think about this, how are you doing entering into the world of those around you? Are you intentionally spending time with unbelievers and getting to know them, trying to find common ground with them? Let's determine today that we will connect with the world and share our lives with unbelievers, learning from them, connecting with them, and sharing our faith with them.

Laura Courtney
Sagebrush Staff Writer

Moving Toward Action

If we want to be effective witnesses for Christ, we must enter into the world. Take some time in the next few days to do just that. Enter into the world. Go to a local coffee shop or restaurant and get to know the people who work there. Leave a generous tip and express to them how much God loves them.

Going Deeper

Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 (NLT)

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 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. 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.

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. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.