Would you Rather?

 

2 Cor. 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 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. 21 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. 22 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. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

 

I become all things to all people to preach the gospel.

This is not Paul becoming tolerant of others beliefs or lifestyles… because we know that his purpose was to preach the gospel which is very offensive to most - if he was to be be tolerant he would never preach the gospel so hard and clearly.

Here is a thought… Tolerance is the opposite of repentance. This why the world loves tolerance and hates the gospel. The world has no problem with Gods love… but when you start to preach repentance …well hold on to your seat its about to get rough. 

 

Second thought…. Evil doesn’t stop itself! Paul became all things to all people to step right into the face of evil… remember as he was becoming all things to all people these same people were beating him, stoning him, whipping him, slandering him… he faced off and stepped into hostile territory regularly. He knew that just simply being a good christian is not enough… evil is not a spinning top where in time it will just wind down… it will never wind down until God comes back in the second coming. 

 

Final thought… Paul became all thing to all people to encourage them towards christ. Encouragement is one of the best tools in evangelism. Lets take one of the Hottest most explosive areas in todays world and look at it evangelistically  - I was talking to a transgender person about a year ago. They were in my office hanging out after a wedding I had performed. They were the son of the woman getting married… however it was a she. “She came right out and told me she was transgender”. We small talked for a few minutes and I calmly and sweetly told her that I am so impressed by people who are willing to do anything in order to find peace and fulfillment… even if it meant doing drastic things… but I said one thing I have learned is that the only way to have peace, and fulfillment and to really feel like you are who you were created to be is to surrender your life to Jesus and ask him to take control of your life… it was a great conversation. 

They did not feel hated or judged and they truly felt cared for all the while knowing where I started. I encouraged them if they did not find peace pursing another gender to try Jesus.