Ramblings on What We Share: Understand, Indentify, Share, Protect

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I Corinthians 9:19-27

Do you see what I see? Do you hear what I hear? Do you feel what I feel? Jesus does, and He calls us to step out of our comfort zone and look, listen and experience the world through the eyes, ears and heart of others.

The blessings of the gospel are to be shared, not only by the act of our verbal witness, but with our minds, hearts and lives – shoulder to shoulder, side by side with our fellow man.

Yes, this means we will be likely be uncomfortable. It means our faith will be tested and tried. This is why personal discipline is essential. We push ourselves outward, but not to the point of making us vulnerable. Our own eyes, ears, and heart need continual spiritual training to keep us safe from temptation and evil. We never want to forget that we belong to no one save Christ and are bound to no creed but His.