1 Corinthians 9:19 – Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (NLT)

If we claim to be a Christian, then we need to recognize that we are a witness.  We may be a good witness, we may be a bad witness, but we are a witness!  We need to be aware of this fact because our challenge is to reach out and make connections to the unchurched in our culture, and we must do this without becoming influenced by the culture. 

Paul, the great evangelist, was faced with this very same challenge, as well.  Paul was willing to make great changes in his daily life in an effort to find some common ground with those who did not know Jesus.  Consider what this must have meant.  When he was with Jews he kept all of the Jewish laws, he ate their foods, he dressed in what was customary, he observed all of their religious rituals.  When he was with the Gentiles, he ate their foods, dressed as was their custom.  Imagine how challenging this was for a man who grew up doing everything he could do in an effort to not be like the Gentiles!

Notice what Paul says in verse twenty-two: “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ.”  Paul was not writing about their lack of physical strength, he was writing about their lack of spiritual understanding.  Yet Paul, the great Christian theologian, spoke to them on their level, becoming weak like those that he sought to reach. 

This passage offers us some insight on how to reach the unchurched.  We cannot put demands upon the unchurched and expect them to come running to the Church, or to Jesus!  Like Jesus, and like Paul, we must meet the people where they are.  We don’t have to condone all behaviors, but we do not need to condemn or belittle anyone, either.  We can’t expect the weak (as Paul used the term) to understand the need for salvation, so it would probably be best if we didn’t walk up to them and ask them if they were saved!  With all people, our challenge is to find some common ground, for common ground is where all productive communication begins. 

Today, let us seek some common ground with someone who does not know Jesus.  Let’s not condemn, but rather let’s share what we know about love and grace. 

Posted by Ramón Torres