I Have Made Myself a Servant to All

A witness is a public affirmation by word or example. As a church, we are to immerse ourselves in our cities and with our neighbors and not to be elitists. We are to go to those who are marginalized like Jesus did. We should not hide what we are going through. Admit who you are and then share how you’ve found the answer in Jesus Christ to your distresses. This does not show Christianity in a bad light--it glorifies Christ and what He can do in you. In this passage, Paul declares that the Gospel has freed him to do his ministry. He recognized that he’d been given a stewardship of the Gospel and he was confident that God was going to use his ministry for His purposes. Paul was not under obligation to any man but he made himself a servant to all that he might win more souls. He voluntarily made the decision to deny his rights and serve others instead. We are to exist in peace with others, as long as we do not offend God, so that we may obtain their affection and then share with them the hope of the Gospel. Jesus has comforted us so that we can bring comfort to those we’re reaching out to. Paul saw opportunities to help others and intentionally engaged them in their lives. In order to do this, Paul had to discipline himself. This is essential in ministering to others. Giving of ourselves for others will take time. Take for example athletes training for a race to win a perishable crown. We are going for an in imperishable crown, to please our Father, so be willing to serve, be willing to be disciplined in thought and time. Paul knew what Christ had given him, and therefore he disciplined his body so that he could give it to the world. Be faithful to carry out your ministry!

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