Being and Becoming Christian

When Randy first received the call to pastor our home church, it was indeed compelling. We jumped in with both feet and a heart full of faith that God would provide. I felt God called me at the same time to come along beside him. Randy quit his stable teaching job. I held onto mine so we could earn a living, for the church would not be able to afford to pay him a living wage at the time. When you can’t think of anything but doing what God has asked you to do…that defines the compelling call. You also feel, as Paul points out in today’s passage, “doomed if you don’t.” God provided for our needs then, He provides for our needs now. We still provide help in ministry to those who need it without charging anything for our work. That’s how we “roll”. We are compelled to spread the gospel in whatever way God asks us to do.

After Paul makes a compelling case to the churches in Corinth who apparently are taking advantage of the pastors there, He reminds us all of what the “call” to minister means to him. It is good for all of us to think more deeply about what our pastors do for us and take time to consider if we are doing our part to make sure they are well provided for as they do the compelling work God has given them to do. We are all ministers of the gospel, but some of us do it full time and need full time provisions. Yes, we will do it for nothing, but what a blessing for those who use their resources to provide for this compelling work. We are all in this race together.

1 Corinthians 9, The Message

Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ. All I’m concerned with right now is that you not use our decision to take advantage of others, depriving them of what is rightly theirs. You know, don’t you, that it’s always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed? Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message.

15-18 Still, I want it made clear that I’ve never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I’m not writing now to get something. I’d rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or impugn my motives. If I proclaim the Message, it’s not to get something out of it for myself. I’m compelled to do it, and doomed if I don’t! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I’d expect some pay. But since it’s not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don’t even have to pay my expenses!

19-23 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

24-25 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

26-27 I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Bottom line points to live by…
–Run the race, compelled to please the Master in what He has given you to do.
–Run the race, without distractions. Set yourself free from the expectations of everyone else, but the Master who put you into the race.
–Run the race, without thinking of what you will get out of it.
–Run the race, in top condition. Take care of your physical body.
–Run the race, telling everyone, they can join the race for eternal Gold, too!

Dear Heavenly Father, We will be thinking about this all day long and meditating on the meaning behind it. It reminds us of when we were first called by you in a compelling way to serve others. You have taken us down many paths that are unusual to say the least, but we will continue to go where You send us. Help us to hear your compelling call each day. Keep us focused on You.
In Jesus Name, Amen