“Love isn’t something we fall into, love is someone we become.”
—Bob Goff
“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 myself 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.”
—1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Love Everyone Always
Paul says, “I have made myself a slave to everyone…”
Paul specifically mentions three groups:
Jews: Paul conformed to Jewish law on indifferent matters (Acts 16:3; 18:18; 21:20-26).
Gentiles: Paul took his place in the culture in order to reach them (Galatians 2:11-21).
Weak Conscience: Paul refrains from exercising his Christian freedom (1 Corinthians 8:9-12).
Paul says, “I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible” (1 Corinthians 9:19b).
How To Love Everyone Always
Big Opinions Lead To Big Obstacles
Paul was not focused on winning arguments he was focused on winning people.
Fight the urge to trade kindness for rightness.
It’s possible to be correct, but not right.
Arguments won’t change people. Simply giving away kindness won’t either. Only Jesus has the power to change people, and it will be harder for them to see Jesus if their view of Him is blocked by our big opinions.
To Like Or Be Like
There’s a big difference between liking Jesus and being like Jesus.
1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
Attendance Isn’t Everything
Jesus said, “…send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:38).
Perhaps we need to start measuring church health, growth, and spiritual renewal by how we empty our churches, not just how we fill them.
Cannonball Love
Jesus came to earth and declared He would turn God’s enemies into His friends.
Jesus saw loving God and loving neighbours as one inseparable mandate.
Bob Goff: “Don’t put a toe in the water with your love; grab your knees and do a cannonball. Move from the bleachers to the field and you won’t ever be the same. Don’t just love the people who are easy to love; go love the difficult ones.”
