This thing called "Ministry" (Part 8)

We come to the eighth installment of this series. We have been looking through the emotional book of 1 Corinthians. As we have skipped through this book like a rock skipping on a quiet lake, it has been my intention to see the ways Paul did this thing called ministry. Last week's thought was a bit tough. The more I have thought about it the more I realize that ministry is seeing our humanity in light of Christ's passion.

We are not above temptation and thus we are not above failure. The point I wanted to make last week was to help us as ministers to keep our head out of the clouds or out of the sand. We need to own up to sin in our lives and confess them. We need to avoid the situations that could lead to sin, thus avoid temptation's lure. We need to realize the burden of protecting the name of Christ but at the same time honoring the power of God to grant us an escape from sin's lure as well as the forgiveness when sin gets a foothold in our lives.

Now this week we turn just slightly in another direction that still comes out of 1 Corinthians 10.

Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. (1 Corinthians 10:24)

Ministry is seeking the good of others. By this Scripture does not mean that we only look to find good in others, but that our actions and our responses to people is for their benefit and for their good.

There are many responses to this. Some argue that what is good for them is what I think is good for me. My way is right and that is what is best for these poor people. But Paul has helped us a bit by stating what he did in the verse just prior.

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Paul is very clear that this has nothing to do with my liberty, but everything to do with the certainty that all I do is not causing my fellow believer to stumble or be hurt in their faith. Also, in relationships with unbelievers we are not hindering their ability to have faith in Christ.

This is a hard line to follow. There are times when offense is so hard to detect. Other times it seems so petty and trivial. Then there are the times when individuals are creating points of contention based upon their own ideology and interpretations of Scripture that truly do not have credence.

How does this apply to us today? So many times we wish to live in utter liberty. We have the opportunity to do so. We are not going to miss out on heaven because we failed to read from the right translation or wear the right clothing. We will not be lost for going to a movie theater or driving a Cadillac instead of a Ford (some may think they are the same thing, sorry to burst your bubble). Other believers will sometimes place stipulations upon true Christianity and we are failing to accomplish the greater good due to these distractions.

The same is true with the unsaved. We want to blend in and be accepted. Yet Paul here in 1 Corinthians 10 is equating the opportunity to live in liberty not with living an undercover lifestyle, but finding ways to enter the homes and lives of all people and being able to interact with them so that they will be more easily confronted with the Gospel.

Ministry is Seeking the Good of others. Ministry is not necessarily seeking what I want or find convenient. It is not sticking my finger in people's eyes or trampling on their beliefs simply to make a point. Ministry is me not creating walls, but looking for ways to open doors.

Again Paul adds another guide in this passage. Note what he says in the verses farther down in the passage.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)

We are not to simply allow our desires to "create" some opportunities when our restraint may open more doors. However, we should not dwell on things that are not valid either.

For example, I still believe that drinking alcohol is a dangerous road to follow. But in many Christian circles the prohibition is being less and less emphasized to the point where pastors are now openly stating it to be fine. We know that Scripture does not forbid it but certainly does warn against it, and the end result of being drunk is strongly spoken of as a sin. I have the ability, the law does not forbid it, but it is not expedient. It is not profitable nor does it keep me from opening a door that could lead to certain destruction. It has the power to control. Of course, I will admit, so do many other vices like television, internet, and other recreational tools. But I think we understand the power of the chemicals that are involved when we introduce such things as alcohol to the body.

On the other side of this I think we as God-fearing Christians have created closed doors because we are not willing to rub shoulders with people who do things, say things, and act ways that are due to their being lost. I don't know exactly what would parallel this image that Paul is creating, but if someone wanted to offer us something that stands in violation of a clear testimony to Christ and the forgiveness of sin He offered, and would create a breach in their mind or our separation from the things of this world, then I would say we must cease and desist. We must look to create an opportunity to establish Christ as the foundation or our hearts and lives and not the things of this world.

Do it all to the glory and honor of God. Ministry is seeking what is best for that other person in such a way that brings honor and glory to God. Ministry is others minded while being Godly motivated.