Here are the top 5 Instagram Influencers in 2021:
- Chritiano Ronaldo (247 million)
- Ariana Grande (211 million)
- Dwayne Johnson (204 million)
- Selena Gomez (198 million)
- Kim Kardashian (195 million)
According to my Google search, an ifluencer is someone who has:
*the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others because of his or her authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with his or her audience.
*a following in a distinct niche, with whom he or she actively engages. The size of the following depends on the size of his/her topic of niche.
The above top influencers on Instagram make regular posts and generate a large following of enthusastic and engaged people.
So, the question is…are YOU an influencer? Maybe you do not have a following on social media like the above. Or, maybe you don’t even have social media. But, we are all influencing those around us. Today in our reading of 1 Corinthians 9 and 10, Paul tells us how we are to Influence Others for Christ.
Within these two chapters, Paul lists many things that we, as Christians, should or should not do to be a good influence to others. It is easy for us to get caught up in the “rules” and all the rights and wrongs. But the true meaning and implication of what Paul is saying is, be a good influence to bring others to Christ. Paul reminds us in these two chapters that as believers we represent God by using our influence to bring others to Him.
How do we influence others in our daily lives?
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 tells us that we can influence others by
“Walking In Their Shoes”. We need to take the time to get to know people in their environment and in their lives. We will not win others to faith by joining in their sinful behaviors, but we can establish friendships through appropriate common interests that give us the opportunity to share the gospel. It is good to remember that it will be only by our transformed lives and true testimony that point others to the only One who can save them.
I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessing.
I Corinthians 9:23
In the next three verses, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul continues to emphasize doing what is required to faithfully fulfill his gospel calling. He illustrates his point with the analogy of athletes and running the race. There are many comparisons of the Christian life to running. Corinth was a city hosting the Isthmian Games (similar to the Olympics in Greece). Paul’s reference to runners in a stadium would have been easily understood by the Corinthians.
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
I Corinthians 9:25
Paul was not implying that Christians are in competition with one another for salvation, or that only one believer would win a prize. His point was that believers must strive with all our strength for God’s will in our lives, just as athletes strive for their prize.
1 Corinthians 10 closes with the theme of “Following Our Leader”
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.
I Corinthians 10:31-33
What Paul is emphasizing here is that we always need to be thinking about the needs and situations of others. Why? Because that’s what Jesus did. That is what brings glory to God.
The ultimate question we can ask ourselves is, Will my action bring glory to God? Paul makes it clear in these two chapters that God cares about everyone. We have one “race” in life as a Christian, and that is to influence as many people toward Jesus as possible.