Mid-week Devotional
Gospel Freedom (Mask or no Mask?)
1 Cor. 9:19-23
Pastor Wes
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Hey church, we’re so excited about how God is working here within this fellowship, even in the midst of a very difficult time politically and socially. I want you to look at a really critical biblical passage with me, one that is spot on for such a time as this. In the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing to a group of Christians in the Greek/Roman city of Corinth. The believers in Corinth had all kinds of issues to work through as new followers of Jesus, figuring out how to be church together with so many coming from really different backgrounds and cultural viewpoints. Paul is writing as their Pastor, and he is lovingly addressing issues with the goal of eliminating divisive, unhealthy habits and viewpoints amongst them.
In chapter 9 he expresses that he and the other workers who planted the church, who shared the gospel of Jesus, who had dedicated their life to ministering amongst them- deserved to be supported financially. The pastors had every right to receive pay, food, and lodging- but for some reason it appears that this didn’t happen in Corinth. Paul and the other workers fended for themselves, and relied on other support. And so, Paul makes the argument that though he had rights that he could have defended, he laid down those rights for the sake of the gospel message. For the sake of the gospel, he wasn’t going to let his perspective, clash with the differing perspective of the people in Corinth.
Now this very well could have just been a loving, gentle nudge instructing the church to make sure they take care of and pay those who minister amongst them- but Paul then encourages them to look to his example in a much larger, broader, more generalized application. Verses 19-23…
Let’s walk back through this quickly, verse 19: Paul says he is “free from all men”- in other words, no man has a right to tell him what he should or shouldn’t do- yet, he makes himself a “slave to all”- in other words, he lays down his rights of freedom, and submits himself to others. Why does the strong, confident, knowledgeable leader Paul, not defend his rights and rather chose to place himself under the opinions of others? For the sake of the gospel! Now what did this look like? Verse 20- to those way into the intricacies of the law, Paul will meet them there and find common ground. Though Paul wasn’t legalistic- and Jesus had radically changed his concept of what it meant to follow the Old Testament law- he would temporarily function within their world view so as not to lose the opportunity of sharing the gospel. He had every right to give those stuck in a works-based view of the Old Testament a piece of his mind, but rather he’d meet them where they were on the law and then lovingly show them how the law points to Jesus.
Verse 21- to those way on the other extreme who are completely lawless, Paul would approach them as a lawless sinner himself, who was saved only by the grace and mercy of Jesus. Verse 22- to the weak, he would express his weakness. No matter what another’s background or viewpoint was- he would be pliable to all, so that some might come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. He would let go of anything, verse 23- doing all, becoming all, submitting to all- for the sake of the gospel.
This concept of Jesus-gospel above all else, is what we as a church really need to work hard at having, in the current place of our world. Every position, every right, every opinion- has to give way and subject itself under the good news message of Jesus. No matter where you stand on today’s issues- all opinions, preferences, freedoms- have to be secondary to Jesus. And when in engaging with the differing viewpoints, whether inside the church, or outside the church- I believe we need to heed Paul’s advice and wisdom, and meet people where they are- humbly seeing things from their perspective, yet always pushing towards the gospel truth, and at least within the church- uniting on the gospel truth.
“Oh you’re a democrat? I appreciate the desire to provide for the poor and to see racism eradicated. I’m a follower of Jesus who instructed us to give to the poor and who desires to give forgiveness, healing, redemption, and eternal life to all men equally- no matter what their ethnic or social background.” “Oh you’re a republican? I appreciate the desire to protect the rights and freedoms of all people, including those inside the womb. I’m a follower of Jesus, and His word tells us that we are all made in the image of God. And He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us, so that we too could live.” “Oh you’re anti-mask? I appreciate your boldness in defending your personal rights, may God give you the same boldness and defiance to share Jesus with those around you.” “Oh, you wear a mask wherever you go? I appreciate your desire to listen to the authorities that God has placed over us and to do your best to keep yourself and others around you in good health.” “Oh, you don’t feel safe attending a live service at church? I appreciate your desire to prevent any Covid breakouts and to keep your family healthy. Please tune in online, and please continue to interact with other believers via phone, text, email, letter, etc.- the body of Christ still needs you.” “Oh, you you’re not worried about attending a live service at church? I appreciate you for being here and for making the gathering of believers a priority no matter what happens.”
Now obviously, there’s more to the issues of our day than what I have expressed here, but I’m hoping to give some modern real-life examples for the application of what Paul is trying to convey to us in 1 Corinthians 9. We as a church have to stand together on the solid ground of biblical truth, and do all we can do to see things from each other’s differing perspectives, to love and respect each other’s views, and to remain united in such a divisive world- as we attempt to become all things to all men- so that we (together) may by all means save some.