“19For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.” – 1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV)
Paul made himself a “servant to all”. He was able to identify with everyone in his work to win them to Christ.
“20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might wing the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 (ESV)
Paul states that he was a bit of a chameleon in his approach to winning others for Christ. He was Jew when it called for it, he was gentile at times, and he was weak when needed as well. Paul was “all thing to all people” in the context of saving them from this world for Christ.
Paul, at the end of his ministry was exhausted, and after my study this morning I see why. His work was mentally taxing. Let alone that he was beaten and persecuted, he was constantly adjusting to those around him to influence them toward Christ. He demonstrated at all times the work of Christ while putting on the veil of those he was working with.
I have chosen the word “authentic” to live out this year and my morning bible study has helped me to understand that does not mean I have to avoid others. I must continue to move closer to them at all times while doing the work of God that He has written for me. I am to work while here in this world and rest when my time is done. Like Paul, I should exhaust myself in service to the Father.
Are you willing to be the chameleon and assimilate to others in service of God? What are some things that you can do to live a life of Christ, even in the midst of those outside of the life of Christ? Are you willing to serve for the sake of the Father?
Trevor's Thoughts 