I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (I Corinthians 9:22-23 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Gospel!
Mountain Man Hugh Glass, having been mauled by a grizzly bear, traveled nearly 200 miles. Crawling, dragging his maimed body, finding what nourishment and shelter he could, he eventually reached civilization. Knowing the region he traversed, I can not imagine how he survived.
But he must have been strongly motivated. He sought revenge on those who had abandoned him. He was trying to retain precious life. He was willing to endure due to the importance of his goals.
Paul was also strongly motivated because he understood how precious the gospel of Jesus Christ is. He writes here that he was even willing to surrender his own plans, his own roles, his own personality if it would help someone find the hope of the gospel. He was willing to become whatever was needed, if it would point to faith in Christ.
This is hard for modern folks to accept. I like my personality, mostly. I have worked hard for my position. I protect my rights, my possessions, my relationships, and my worldview. But Paul says the gospel is more than all of those things.
Another result of Paul’s challenge is context for my suffering. If God is giving me difficulties so that those very difficulties point someone to Jesus, shouldn’t that be worth it? If God is holding back some blessing that I think I deserve so that somehow someone notices Jesus, shouldn’t that be worth it? If things are not going my way because God is taking me a different way because on that path is someone who needs to find Jesus, shouldn’t that be worth it?
Rather than fear those things that appear so dark, shouldn’t we see the darkness as a way to bring Christ’s light?
Fear not, then the gospel.