FOR THE GOSPEL'S SAKE

1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-23 NKJ 
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 

OBSERVATION: 

Paul put himself in different situations in order to reach people. He did this for the gospel's sake that more might be saved. 

In the preceding verses to today's passage, Paul makes a case for receiving finances for preaching the gospel. But he makes the choice not to receive from the Corinthians. He did this in order to reach them.   

Paul's mission was to preach the gospel to Jews and to the Gentiles. The Gentiles that Paul reached were not aware of Jewish scriptures or Jewish law, so Paul didn't go there. It would make no sense to appeal to them from the Old Testament writings.   

But when Paul preached to the Jews, it was a different story. To the Jews, he would reason with them from the scriptures. They had a knowledge of the Old Testament writings, so Paul could go there with them. 

The entire concept here is what can we do to reach more people? We are not talking about living without a sense of moral duty to God. When Paul preached to Gentiles, he did not live as one who gave into his flesh. The Gentiles of that day were extremely promiscuous, but Paul did not abandon God's will for him. He stayed true to God even in the middle of a flesh-ruled society. Instead, Paul reached the Gentiles with the message of Jesus and then instructed them on how to live this new life.   

Paul adapted to the culture without submitting to the culture's norms. He did this for the gospel's sake.   

APPLICATION: 

It's so easy to get used to our Christian environment that we forget how other people and cultures live. Then we tend to point fingers or criticize instead of reaching out in order to see them saved.   

I recently spoke to a group of believers who were very different from our church and what we believe. I had to look for a place to connect. They loved Jesus, so they are part of the Body of Christ. My job was not to point out where I thought they were wrong. Rather, it was to find common ground and rejoice there. For the gospel's sake.   

PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father, You love all people. Help me adapt in order that more might be saved.