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 (TNIV)

On Wednesday we saw Paul giving the Corinthians a lesson on the nature of Christian love. Today’s passage is an extension of that teaching. Here we see Paul practicing what he has preached to them. He uses himself as an example for them to follow. Notice here how Paul forsakes his Christian freedom for the sake of bringing the Gospel to various people. He ignores his own needs so that he might be able to attract and win hearts and minds for the Christ whom he loves and who claimed him on the road to Damascus.

As you continue to observe a Holy Lent, think on this. Who is it that you are serving? Are you willing to lose yourself so that others might be able to gain Christ? As Paul reminds us, not everyone will accept our gracious invitation to enter into a life-giving relationship with Christ. But that is not the point of the passage above. What Paul is reminding us is that the way we live our lives and conduct ourselves around others is a sermon in itself. You do not have to be a minister to be a preacher. You do not even have to be a good speaker. You simply need to live your life the way Christ lived his. When you are able to live your life for Christ instead of yourself, that will be enough to attract people’s attention and help make them ready for you to tell them about your secret. After that, it is out of your hands.