This week I have had the privilege of meeting some missionaries from across our country and across the world. Some of them speak pretty weird languages that I just don’t understand.
You know where I am going with this thought. People have to speak the language of the people they seek to interact with. It may be for business or family or even for ministry. Fact is, God has not called us to make people like us or to Americanize those from other nations. God has called us to win people to Jesus. Often that will change the way we look at things.
The American way is not always the right way, and often very different from what God says is true and original being like Jesus. Our calling is not to a land or to a church or even to a people group. Our calling is to Him and to give Him to others.
Paul the apostle said that He was willing to do whatever it takes to win as many people as possible. I know I have shared this with you before, but here is that Scripture from Paul:
“…Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (NLT)
That might mean that you learn a new language, change your clothing style, move to a new area of town, or simply put yourself into a new part of the culture you already live in. We have to change things to get the word out. We never change the message: Jesus saves. We do whatever we have to get the word out.
I am being challenged and challenging others to think these thoughts in a very real and big way as we walk into a new adventure of a new church and seek to win lost people to Christ. To learn a new language for us means that we speak the language of lost people. Then we do all we can to be heard by those who need Jesus.
As I close today’s devotion, I am going to list the people that Paul talked about the chapter I quoted from above. These are the people we must win to Jesus by learning a new language or a new way of getting the word out!
Sharing with those I have to serve…
Sharing with those who love the law or are legalistic…
Sharing with those don’t live by the law or are rebels…
Sharing with those who are weak and have big needs…
Sharing with anyone who will listen…
You know where I am going with this thought. People have to speak the language of the people they seek to interact with. It may be for business or family or even for ministry. Fact is, God has not called us to make people like us or to Americanize those from other nations. God has called us to win people to Jesus. Often that will change the way we look at things.
The American way is not always the right way, and often very different from what God says is true and original being like Jesus. Our calling is not to a land or to a church or even to a people group. Our calling is to Him and to give Him to others.
Paul the apostle said that He was willing to do whatever it takes to win as many people as possible. I know I have shared this with you before, but here is that Scripture from Paul:
“…Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (NLT)
That might mean that you learn a new language, change your clothing style, move to a new area of town, or simply put yourself into a new part of the culture you already live in. We have to change things to get the word out. We never change the message: Jesus saves. We do whatever we have to get the word out.
I am being challenged and challenging others to think these thoughts in a very real and big way as we walk into a new adventure of a new church and seek to win lost people to Christ. To learn a new language for us means that we speak the language of lost people. Then we do all we can to be heard by those who need Jesus.
As I close today’s devotion, I am going to list the people that Paul talked about the chapter I quoted from above. These are the people we must win to Jesus by learning a new language or a new way of getting the word out!
Sharing with those I have to serve…
Sharing with those who love the law or are legalistic…
Sharing with those don’t live by the law or are rebels…
Sharing with those who are weak and have big needs…
Sharing with anyone who will listen…
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