Devotion:
Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
What exactly did Paul mean when he said, “I have become all things to all people”? As always when reading Scripture, context is key. This is a passage about evangelism, and how best to reach others. It speaks of what might and might not be allowed as we seek to reach the lost. In his ministry Paul was trying to reach a wide range of people including not only the Jews and the Gentiles, but those who lived moral lives, those who didn’t, those who were defeated, those who were demoralized. Paul needed to find ways to relate to others.
He acknowledges that he didn’t actually take on their way of life. He stayed grounded in Christ but “entered their world” and tried to experience things from their point of view.
How different our churches would look if we all adopted Paul’s practice of compassion and empathy. We too are to connect with people where and as they are, so that we can guide them to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Personal Worship Option:
Ask God to give you Paul’s heart for others so that you can “enter their world” and find a way to show them the love of Christ.
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