Pstor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 296

October 23;      I Corinthians 9:19;       142/260(III);        ‘Free to Serve’

1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more

The Lord Jesus Christ sets us free from the opinions of others.  The Lord Jesus Christ sets us free from coveting what others have.  The Lord Jesus Christ sets us free from what others do.  To know the Lord Jesus, being serious about your relationship with Him and your fellowship with Him sets you free from all men.  We love them with the love of the Lord.  We are grateful and rejoice with them when they do well.  We pray for them when they are facing challenging circumstances in their life.  Our close walk with Jesus, His equipping and provisions and the ‘adventure’ of continuing His ministry frees us to help everyone.  Our value and worth come from our Lord and not what others say or think about us.  When we knew the Lord called us to go to Bible School, we never allowed what family, friends or co-workers had to say effect our decision.  We are not talking about arrogantly flaunting what we intended to do, but we courteously and kindly shared that we knew in our heart that this is what we were supposed to do.  The Lord is no respecter of persons, and as His ministers of reconciliation, neither are we.  As representatives of Jesus, our responsibility and privilege is to help others, regardless of who they are and what they have or do not have.  The Lord accepted us,  whatever circumstances we were born again in.  The Lord Jesus never judged us and since we are free of the opinions of others, we can treat them just as Jesus treated us.