I Cor. 9:19 says For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; While preaching in urban centers, Paul encountered diverse orators who were skilled at speaking but were deceptive & false. Their skills brought them fame & fortune as the moved from place to place. Paul wanted to distance himself from this group (I Thess. 2:3-5, 9 -10). Paul backed his message up by the life he lived & the example he demonstrated. Paul’s actions & words matched because this was the only way he could lead others to Christ. Paul took evangelism seriously; Paul wasn’t on the fence when it came to his focus or dedication. Paul was all in!
I Cor. 9:20 says and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; Paul was a Jew and he valued his Jewish heritage (Rom. 9:3-5). We know in Christ, God created a newly defined people with no distinction between Jew & Gentile (Acts 15:9; Rom. 3:22, 10:12; 1 Cor. 10:32). Paul wanted to facilitate the Gospel. Without sinning, he adapted himself in whatever ways he could in an effort to reach others. He never became an outlaw in his relationship with God. Paul didn’t pick and choose when it came to sharing Christ with others. Paul was all in!
I Cor. 9:21-23 says to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Paul’s love for humanity & his spirit of self- sacrifice created a laser focus on saving the lost. Paul wasn’t kinda all in, he was all in. Are you?
