Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the  law (though I myself am not under the law) so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, that I might share in its blessings(1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

To the druggies I became like a druggie…

Just had to go there, didn’t you?

Look, I think we can all agree that there were lines Paul would not cross. He even says, “I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law.” But Paul was not going to let non-essentials get in the way of the essentials.

Remember his conversation back in Ch. 8 about food sacrificed to idols?

That.

For all his learning and theological understanding, Paul kept his personal mission very simple: 

1. People need Jesus.

2. I get to introduce them.

So what about you, Beloved? Are there people who are just too different, too out there, too icky for you to love and serve? Or are you willing to be the slave of all, that some might be saved?

Happy Thursday, Beloved