The packaging matters …

Are you a ripper or a wrapper and bow saver?

Some people I know open their Christmas presents with great care because they save the wrapping paper and bows for reuse. That’s not how I learned to open presents as a kid. Me and my seven siblings took pride in just how fast we could get a gift ripped open! Forget the wrapping, we wanted to get to what was inside!

That’s harder to do these days. With the kind of packaging items come in today, you very nearly need a freshly sharpened hedge trimmer to free the contents from its package. Products today are packaged more to keep thieves out than to allow buyers in!

I sometimes wonder if that isn’t how we “package” the church … more about keeping in who’s already there than to welcome and bring in those who are outside.

The Apostle Paul was a “ripper.” He tore away anything that kept those outside of Christ from coming to Christ. Paul explained his methods this way:

“19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

Paul “packaged” himself to attract others to the Gospel, tearing away anything that would hinder anyone from clearly accessing the Gospel message. His intent had a simple focus, found in verse 23: “I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”

Are you building bridges to share the Gospel, or making it difficult for non-believers to find Christ? How can you clear away impediments to the Gospel so that others might be saved?

Scotty