Change your approach, not your vote!

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:16-18

We have an obligation as believers to spread the good news! It should be our goal and highest priority to win over lost souls so that they will may make running their race all about pleasing God. We must be faithful in what God has called us to do. But woe to us who do not spread the good news when we have been instructed and even compelled to. However, we must be careful as believers in how we talk to and approach one another. I know that we need to be of a single mind and purpose. We also need to have a strong stance on where we stand when it comes to our beliefs and faith, but we must be careful “how” we approach all things. Why? First of all because we are representatives of Jesus. Second of all, because all things do not require same the method. Just ask anyone who is a parent to more than one child, a leader, teacher or any other figure that has to lead and discipline. You don’t change the message, but you do have to sometimes change the method.

We must ask ourselves if we are being harsh and inconsiderate with others, or reasonable. We must LEARN to pick our battles, for not everyone is meant to win. Not everything is all about our way or the highway attitude. There are some things that should be held firmly to and not be moved, but it should always be Gods way. A few questions that we should consider when talking to non believers about our faith: what does Gods word say, is it pleasing to Him and what would Jesus do? We’ve all surely heard someone say when telling a story: “it’s the gospel.” In other words, “it’s the truth.” The real gospel is the truth of Gods word, not what we think. So seek out what the scripture says and what it instructs.

So again, ask yourself in each circumstance that you feel needs your input or help: does it need to be a single minded (narrow minded) approach or an open ended conversation? There is compromise, just not with sin! If we stifle people, then we just you shut them out and lose them anyway. Especially those who we love the most, the others just walk away.

If we don’t give people freedom to be themselves around us and they don’t feel like they can talk to us, then resentment and frustration brews. We must be careful how we approach. WWJD? He was in it to win it but He also knew He wouldn’t win everyone. He wasn’t intimidated that someone thought differently than He did. In fact He must have expected it, but He also expected to win. You see, He learned to approach differently and accordingly. We win all in a different way. Same message, just different strategy.

Let’s follow up to what Paul was saying in 1 Corinthians.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made 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 people 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. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

He used his freedom to help save others, not to condemn them. This was pleasing unto God. It was coming from the right place and for the right reasons. He did it all for the sake of the gospel and so that he might share in it’s blessings. He removed himself and his opinion out of the equation. He made it all about Christ and the winning of souls.

Why do you do what you do? Is it an approach to win a soul or an argument to lose a soul? Jesus was persecuted for us. We must not persecute one another. Is it worth that approach? Think about it! So many times we lose and wonder why we don’t win souls over! It’s a fact that we won’t win everyone, but, our approach must be right and the core reason behind it. That’s what should push us to them and draw them in to Him. If it isn’t all for the sake of the gospel, then why? If we can’t lay our selves down and our pride aside just long enough to share with gentleness meekness and love, then I’ve got news: we got it all wrong!

Jesus came to set it right. He shows us how it is done! Just open His word and began to read. God will reveal His will if we’re truly seeking, and if we are asking with the right motives and heart. Jesus often spoke in parables so that we and others might understand. It’s not a sin to get on their level; it’s a sin to judge. If it isn’t done in and backed with love, then it’s done in vain. We can speak truth in love and we can correct sternly but gently if need be, but we must also let the truth change us. The truth is, Jesus had the right approach. Paul is also a good example to follow as we humble ourselves to serve Him. It’s all about Him in me, not me in Him.

I believe that when we seek the way of Jesus, aiming to please God, and truly get a fire lit in our hearts with fresh fervency, THEN we will start winning souls! We can start seeing numbers added to the Kingdom, daily. It’s all in daily living.

We are to be lights and witnesses. We were created for good works and those good works ought to be pointing others to Him, not us. If we lose our saltiness, then we are no longer have flavor. No one will want what we have if we are bland and dry. That doesn’t preserve anything. If we lose our light, then our presence is dark. Our approach is to be salt and light, and out of love . So go get your light back, and stay salty.

Do it all right (Jesus way) or do it all wrong. Let us remember why He did what He did. His why should change our why! Is it for the sake of winning an argument or a soul?

Like Paul, not that any of us have perfected or obtained all of this yet, but we keep pressing forward. It’s not all about me, but it is all about Him.

Love to all. It’s all in Christ or it’s all in vain. Change your approach. Change your mind set and keep your heart set on Him.

“Father God, please help us to see things from Your point of view and to love others like Jesus loves us. I want to point them towards You Savior. If it isn’t working, I must try something new and treat each case accordingly, but I must not stop! I want to please You. In Jesus Name, Amen”