Selflessness and a sympathetic heart are key traits of every effective Christian in church ministries. The church comprises people of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, and with different levels of spiritual maturity. Paul instructs the Corinthian Christians in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 that they, like him, must be ever willing to accommodate the differences of others “for the gospel’s sake”, so that they might “gain them” for Christ!
Paul was a Jew through and through, having had a prestigious Jewish education under the tutelage of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). If such was his Jewish heritage, why did Paul say, “unto the Jews I became as a Jew” (1 Cor 9:20a)? Here, Paul refers to the Jewish customs and practices which were rigidly and religiously practised by Jews, such as circumcision and other ceremonial and civil observances. Paul knew and taught that “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:15). Yet, at the early stage of the New Testament Church, when in the presence of a hostile Jewish crowd, Paul conceded to Timothy being circumcised (Acts 16:3). Later on, Paul shaved his head as part of his vow to attend the feast at Jerusalem (Acts 18:18). These are examples of Jewish customs that Paul was willing to accommodate, so that he may win the Jews’ acceptance and slowly teach them the better “law to Christ” (1 Cor 9:21). When ministering to the Gentiles (“them that are without law”), Paul did not coerce the Gentiles to circumcise and observe Jewish feasts, for the Gospel did not necessitate those observances. Hence, Paul opposed Peter, who compelled the Gentiles to live as the Jews (Galatians 2:14). We see a very careful and wise Paul who adapted to the various contexts, but never at the expense of the truth of the Gospel. In reaching out to others, Paul never compromised the Gospel and always displayed much care and concern to bring its truths to both Jews and Gentiles.
Paul’s affectionate care is seen particularly in his treatment of the spiritually weak. He says, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak” (1 Cor 9:22a). Paul neither encouraged believers’ lack of faith nor joined in their sinful acts. But when establishing young believers in the faith, Paul would abstain from certain foods, so they would not be stumbled (1 Cor 8:13). On other occasions, he exhorted believers to bear each other’s burdens and patiently restore the weak to the church’s fellowship (Gal 6:1-5). Every Bible-adhering Christian must not stand aloof to the struggles of fellow believers. For the sake of Christ and as an expression of the love we have first received, let us care for the weak and those who are afflicted. Christians must commit to being affectionate and accommodating of others. We must be vigilant against cultural or national pride, even spiritual pride, which would prevent us from going out of our comfort zones to minister, encourage and fellowship with others.
Remember, the purpose for Paul’s commitment was never to establish a name for himself, but for the name of Christ, “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you” (1 Cor 9:23).
Learning from Paul’s exhortation and example, the Gethsemane Youth Fellowship will organise a year-end retreat to Cebu and Bohol from 18 to 22 December 2023. We pray that all participants will be selfless, sympathetic, accommodating and affectionate as we strengthen our fellowship with brethren in the Visayas churches. As announced by Pastor last Sunday, the total retreat fee, including the group-booking airfare, is no small amount. Nonetheless, we trust and pray for God’s timely provisions, so that 80 brethren can participate in this trip to encourage our brethren in Cebu City, Bogo, San Antonio, Tagbilaran City, Anda and Candijay. The theme for this retreat is: “Prepare to Meet Thy God”, a phrase taken from Amos 4:12. Our prayer is that these messages will prepare our young people for the second coming of Christ. In the season of Christmas, the Gospel will be presented in remembrance of His first coming as our Saviour, and in preparation for His second coming as our Judge and King. Furthermore, the youth choir will be enlisted every evening to sing specially selected hymns at each location. Certainly, there will be much travelling by air, land and sea. Hence, we prayerfully commit the planning and preparations for the retreat, as well as the safety and protection of our participants, to our Sovereign God.
I thank God for last week’s opportunity to visit Rev Reggor, Pr Edsel, their families and their congregations in Cebu and Bohol, respectively. Elder Low Boon Siang joined me on this recce trip from June 13-15. Though a short visit of three days, our trip was fruitful and fulfilling, for we met up with some whom we did not see for a long while, and with others whom we saw regularly in our Gethsemane Fellowships over Zoom during the Pandemic. Elder Low and I attended the prayer meetings in Cebu (Tuesday night) and Bohol (Wednesday night), and our fellowship with them was very sweet! We went there with a desire to encourage the brethren, and we went away being very much encouraged ourselves, having heard testimonies of the persevering faith of some amidst different setbacks in recent years.
Borrowing the pen of Paul, we conclude with both thanksgiving and prayer – “For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13).
This we do, for Christ’s sake, that others may be blessed, just as we have been blessed.
This we give, for the Gospel’s sake, that others may receive, just as we have received.
This we sing, for Christ’s sake, that others may be edified, just as we have been edified.
This we shared, for Christ’s sake, that others may be encouraged, just as others have shared with us.
This burden we bear, for Christ’s sake, that we may bear one another’s burden, just as others have borne our burdens.
This place we go, for the Gospel’s sake, that others may be saved or strengthened, just as we have been saved and likewise strengthened.
May the LORD use this retreat to unite us to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). To facilitate planning, I urge all to quickly sign up for the year-end youth retreat in the Philippines!