“I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.” (1 Cor 9:22)
One thing I loved about living in Memphis was the opportunity to check out live music. My favorite place to wind down on a Sunday evening was Ghost River Brewery where my friend hosted a singer-songwriter event. It was a great opportunity to meet all the local musicians.
One night I had an epiphany. As I felt burdened to share the gospel with these musicians during their cigarette breaks, another, possibly wiser thought came to me. What if I could be accepted as one of their own, instead of some stranger trying to talk to them about religious things? What if I could earn my way into their inner circle of friends? I could have a greater influence on them than trying to evangelize to them as an outsider. This would take more than just a one-off, courageous witnessing opportunity during cigarette breaks. To build such trust, it would take much more effort and the grace of God. Then instead of being distant, they would gladly invite me to whatever they were up to, perhaps to an after party at one of their pads.
Paul talked about this mindset in his letter to the Corinthians. Even though he came from the strictest religious background and was one of the most spiritual persons, in order to win those he preached to, he became like them. To the Jews, he became like a Jew. To the Gentiles, like a Gentile. To the weak, he became weak. All in order to win people to the gospel. Unless we become like those we preach to and are accepted as their own, we remain outsiders. And people usually don’t listen to outsiders. Isn’t that the whole reason for the Incarnation?
Apart from sinning or becoming ingenuine, we as Christians need to be more adaptable to the people around us. To be able to mingle and relate to them. All in order to win their trust and acceptance, so that we may by all means win them to the gospel.
Prayer
Give us the mind of Christ and of Paul, to become like those we are reaching out to. Help us to do this without compromising our integrity or walk with Christ but with wisdom and tact.