Whatever It Takes

From 2005-09, Fox aired a television show entitled "Prison Break".  The story line of the show is about a man whose half-brother is wrongly incarcerated (for life) for murder.  The free brother decides to come up with a plan that will land him in prison, along side of his half-brother, so they can escape together.

As I was reading 1 Corinthians 9 this week, Paul's words reminded me of this show.  He is writing the people of Corinth to remind them that "Although I am free, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible."  (9:19)  He goes on to explain that "to the Jews, he was a Jew" in order to win them to Christ.  To the Gentiles, he lived "as a Gentile" in order to win them to Christ.  To the weak, he became weak.  He even goes so far as to say "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."  (9:22)

If Paul were alive today and witnessing:

• To lost clowns?  Would he would buy make-up and floppy shoes, join the circus and win clowns for Christ?
• Trying to reach bikers?  Would he go so far as to get a Harley in order to win bikers for Christ?
• Hoping to reach the lost in a pool hall?   Would he step inside those smoky bars and learn to shoot pool in order to win them to Christ?
• He would do whatever it takes!

His reason behind it all:  The Gospel!  His motivation was to share in the blessings that come along with winning people to Christ.

A few thoughts / questions:

• How do we (the church) compare to the heart of Paul?  Do we do whatever it takes?  Do we get on the same level to reach those around us for Christ?
• Do we (the church) change on a consistent basis our environment / style of worship / approach to win the lost for Christ?
• Do we (the church) support / encourage other churches for thinking "outside the box" when they go after lost sinners?
• Do we (the church) focus on God's grace and see ourselves as "those people" too?
• Although his eyes and actions were always fixed on Christ, Paul was culturally engaged at all times in order to reach others.  Are we (the church) culturally engaged?

Paul was in the world, but not of it.  There is a difference.  Paul was also sold out for Christ.  He maintained a balance.  He was a man who was all things to all people.  He shaped his words and actions in every situation, constantly trying to find a way to love and connect with those who desperately needed Jesus Christ!

What would our generation look like if we consistently took these words to heart and reached those around us by any means necessary?