July 23, 2019

Sports talk was a key factor in winning my Dad to Christ. Two pastors, who were also sports enthusiasts, found common ground with my Dad, which eventually led to his conversion. 

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.”1 Corinthians 9.19-22

Paul’s passion for those without Christ and salvation is abundantly evident in these verses. The interests of others was his priority so as to find common ground to reach them with the gospel. Whatever it took, Paul was willing to do so that “I may by all means save some.”

It is easy for Christians and churches to have the mindset that non-christians should come to us on our terms. With church doors wide open they can come, sing songs, hear what is often called, “church-ese” language, and be exposed to the gospel through teaching and preaching. It all may be more confusing than evangelizing. How much better to adopt Paul’s approach and seek out the lost on their terms. 

Jesus declares that we are be the “salt of the earth”(Matthew 5.13) Salt does little good in a salt shaker; it’s designed to be shaken out to have contact with that which it would flavor and preserve. Paul’s approach in becoming “all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some,”is this “salt approach.” This does not involve compromising ethics and morals to do so, but seeking common interests in conversation for greater gospel goals. 

We are challenged to make the interests of others our interests so that we may gain opportunity for gospel sharing. May this be our priority and focus as we go about our daily activities.

Steve

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July 16, 2019

Extreme faith moves us from our comfort zone into the adrenalin-pumping, risky unknown. The prospect of failure is very real, but the potential for success overrides the fear of failure.

 “When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying.” Mark 2.1-4

Four faithful friends brought a helpless man to Jesus, whom they unwaveringly believed could restore him to wholeness. But the path to restoration was blocked by a thick crowd of people. Both daring and resourceful, these four men created a path to Jesus where one did not exist. Chopping a hole through someone else’s roof, they lowered their lame friend right into the presence of Jesus. Receiving more than bravely hoped for, this man was forgiven of sin as well as physically healed. 

What do we believe so strongly that we are willing to bravely risk? Do we believe enough in the restorative power of God through Jesus that we risk sharing the gospel? Do we believe enough to faithfully pray for the miracle of spiritual and physical healing? Do we believe enough to chop holes through proverbial roofs to bring people into the presence of Jesus?

 You’ve likely heard it said, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” In the realm of faith, this is especially true. If we do not risk acting in extreme faith, we will never know what God through Christ can and will do. Noah knew, as did Abraham, Moses, and countless other men and women of faith. It was their extreme faith in action that set them apart from those who sat idly by.

 Extreme faith is risky, but the rewards for those who “believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11.6) far outweigh the risk.

 May extreme faith move us to the daring venture of acting upon that which we resolutely believe. 

Steve Taylor 

My other blogs http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
https://kingdomdreamer.blogspot.com/
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