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PROGRAM D-7266
Have you ever noticed how some people just seem to have a knack at opening up conversations and sharing their faith creatively? While it’s true that some of us are more naturally gifted in this way than others, it is also true that we are all called to be witnesses. Maybe you don’t find it comes so easy for you—and it doesn’t for me either. But if we had some new creative ways to open up doors and opportunities for witness, we might do a better job of sharing our faith.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul makes some pretty startling statements about his methods of reaching people. Here are a few verses from chapter 9:
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make 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 men 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.
One might think that Paul is advocating compromise. But that’s not the case at all, for certainly in context and compared with all his other teachings; we know how strongly he held to biblical truth and principles. But what Paul is saying here is that he gets as creative as he can so that he can reach as many people as possible. He eliminates barriers between himself and others—artificial barriers that make communication difficult. And in that way, he has opportunities to share the gospel with many people who otherwise would never listen.
Don’t you think we have the same obligation to try to find creative ways to break down walls between ourselves and others around us so that we will have more opportunities to share the good news with them about Jesus Christ?
What I’d like to do is give you some ideas that you might be able to use on your job. And I want to encourage you to be willing to get out of your comfort zones and do things differently, to consider these ideas before you say, “Oh, that wouldn’t work on my job,” or “I could never do that.” Please continue to be open to God’s Spirit; he may have a terrific new avenue for you—a new creative door opener that will help you break through some barriers for the sake of the gospel.