Be as Who You are Trying to Reach

In interacting with others, it is commonplace and advised to “mirror” the person you are interacting with in order to connect with them, empathize with them, and influence them. There is nothing in that approach that says that one is to abandon who they are, or to become someone else. It is only to appear as them to connect and reach them. In our world of spreading the gospel, we are to do the same, be as the ones we are trying to reach for the gospel.

“¹⁹For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 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 win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 (ESV)

Paul makes note of this process as above. In order that he would have a better chance at reaching everyone, he would be as they and meet them where they were. Jesus did the same in His ministry as He went where the sinners were and did not expect that they should come to Him.

It is easy for us to attend church and events that are steeped in the gospel and God’s Word. But, what is that getting us when it comes to spreading the gospel. We are expecting that those who need the gospel are going to come to us so all we have to do is be there when they arrive and claim victory for Christ.

To be more effective, we should be going to those in need. We have to bring the gospel to them and in order to do so, we would need to be as they are to me more easily accepted by them. We cannot be timid and reluctant to do so as Jesus went wherever He was needed and he did not apologize for doing so, even in the times when He was questioned about the approach. He had the answer for those who questioned.

“¹¹And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ ¹²But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” – Matthew 9:11-13 (ESV)

As Jesus and Paul demonstrate, it is important for us to meet the people where they are. It is also easier to do so when we are as they are when doing so. We have to remember though that we are to be as them, and not change ourselves. We are here to spread the gospel, not be “friends” only and allow them to not hear the gospel. We have to remain disciplined in our faith and our following of Christ so that there is not question as to our motives or actions. Paul knew this as he called out to the Church at Corinth.

“²⁷But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)

Where are you looking to spread the gospel? Are you waiting on the lost to come to you? What if you were to be as the lost and go to them, to be more easily accepted by them, to reach them where they are?