"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (NIV)
Chameleons change color in their environment for their protection...that is their ultimate goal. There purpose is survival. Saving their own lives, self-preserving to live another day. Paul speaks of his ministry as if he were a chameleon in vs. 22. Yet his purpose is different. His goal is much different. Paul changes in groups, not for his own comfort or preservation. Not for popularity or acceptance. His goal is clear in this passage...to "save some". He will be a Jew when with Jews, he will be Greek when with Greeks....He will do anything by all means to make the people around him see the love of God through Jesus Christ. He will lose all freedoms he has so he won't cause those around him to stumble, he will enjoy freedoms around those who enjoy them yet do not know Christ. Sounds like a poser...sounds like a man who lost himself...sounds like a man who doesn't even know who he is anymore..........Your right, but before we snicker at a man with a seemingly serious identity crisis let's realize that this crisis was in fact his greatest level of obedience. You see Paul ceased being Paul, for the sake of the Gospel. In a day in age when social chameleons lose themselves for the sake of "surviving" socially, may we see the example of Paul and see that He lost himself for a cause that was worth it. Paul died to himself for the sake of saving others. What a difference! May my goal today be the eternal survival of others and not the temporary survival of my reputation found in the approval of others.
Chameleons change color in their environment for their protection...that is their ultimate goal. There purpose is survival. Saving their own lives, self-preserving to live another day. Paul speaks of his ministry as if he were a chameleon in vs. 22. Yet his purpose is different. His goal is much different. Paul changes in groups, not for his own comfort or preservation. Not for popularity or acceptance. His goal is clear in this passage...to "save some". He will be a Jew when with Jews, he will be Greek when with Greeks....He will do anything by all means to make the people around him see the love of God through Jesus Christ. He will lose all freedoms he has so he won't cause those around him to stumble, he will enjoy freedoms around those who enjoy them yet do not know Christ. Sounds like a poser...sounds like a man who lost himself...sounds like a man who doesn't even know who he is anymore..........Your right, but before we snicker at a man with a seemingly serious identity crisis let's realize that this crisis was in fact his greatest level of obedience. You see Paul ceased being Paul, for the sake of the Gospel. In a day in age when social chameleons lose themselves for the sake of "surviving" socially, may we see the example of Paul and see that He lost himself for a cause that was worth it. Paul died to himself for the sake of saving others. What a difference! May my goal today be the eternal survival of others and not the temporary survival of my reputation found in the approval of others.
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