Cameleon of Faith

1 Corinthians 9:19-22 – For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

1. There’s more than ‘your’ way to share Jesus with others. Many people in the church believe there’s only one way to share the Gospel with others, their way. Whether the person is young, old, a banker, celebrity, or otherwise, they have one method to present the Gospel to each one. If the person does not accept their message or Jesus, then they walk away believing they’ve done all they could…but maybe there’s another way…

2. In order to reach someone, you must be able relate to them. Each of us have the ability to reach specific groups of people. Based on our background and past, we can reach some people more easily than others. Now, the Gospel has the ability to transcend ALL groups, but certain groups of people may only accept (or receive a message) from someone that can relate to them – someone that looks, acts, and talks like them. This is the gist of Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22.

Based on your background and past, you may not be able to reach a specific person. If this is the case, pray for them and ask the Lord to send someone that can reach them through the Gospel. The person the Lord may send may look, act, and talk entirely different from you, but the goal is not to create carbon copies of you, but to bring salvation to that person and the world.

3. The cycle of salvation continues. When someone that doesn’t look, act, or talk like you places their faith in Jesus, they go out to share Jesus’ message with those that look, act, and talk like them. Now, everyone within their group may welcome their presentation of the Gospel, as it’s coming from one of their own.

4. Different strokes for different folks. When you look across the landscape of Christianity, there are many different types of Christians. Few groups look, act, and talk the same. Many even share varying beliefs about Jesus. Our purpose should not be to make people believe and serve Jesus as we do, but to come to believe in Jesus. There are specifics we’ll share such as loving God, loving man, and serving the world, but how we go about it may be entirely different – and that’s alright. We serve for the glory of God, for Him to be known in the world…not ourselves.

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