Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 9:21
The next group of people Paul shared the gospel of Christ with were the Gentiles. We read in 1 Corinthians 9:21, “to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.” Paul knew that the Gentiles did not seek favor from God by following the Jewish law, so he was not concerned about following Jewish rituals and festivals when he was with them. As Paul shared the gospel of Christ with the Gentiles, he knew they lived outside the Law of God. Paul chose to become like one who was without the Jewish law. Paul would not act like a lost person, for he knew he was fully submitted to Christ as his Lord and Savior. Paul knew he must follow God’s commands through the power of the Holy Spirit within him as he lived among the Gentiles. As he shared the message of Christ with them, he would seek to lead them to surrender to Christ. Paul sought to be sensitive to their needs and identify with them. As Christians, we must do the same. We should never seek to convince someone that they need to change their ways. Behavior modification never works. We share Christ so that as the Holy Spirit convicts them (John 16:8–11) they have the opportunity to respond to Him and surrender to Christ as Lord and Savior so that they are transformed by Him. As God transforms their lives, they become more like Him.
Challenge & Application
Why is it important to be sensitive to the needs of lost people and to seek to identify with them as we share the gospel?
Why does behavior modification never work, and why does a life only truly change through the transformational work of God?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!