“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jew I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” – I Corinthians 9:19-23 ESV

Paul inconvenienced himself to move into others’ worlds all for the sake of the gospel so that he might win people to Christ. In order to truly lead people to Christ there are no shortcuts, you have to move into their world. You have to get alongside them and join them in all their mess. This is often time-consuming and inconvenient. Often it is doing things you don’t want to do. A little over a month ago after church I had just sat down to enjoy a movie with my family and eat when my neighbor knocked on the door. Long story short, he came to me desperate for help with his family. I saw what God was doing and knew I would either spend time with him and lose all my rest and leisure, or I could tell him let’s meet up tomorrow. But I decided to join him in his mess so that I could tell him the gospel. Three hours later he and his whole family asked Jesus into their hearts! Now begin the journey of discipling them in their mess. Is it worth it? A whole family, a whole generation saved and transformed? You bet you it’s worth it! I’m so grateful for the lady who did the same with my parents over 40 years ago. A generation of faith to the second and third generation are now serving Jesus. Why? Because a lady inconvenienced herself, she became like “all men” that she might reach my parents!

Whose life do you need to move into to reach with the gospel? It will take you because like them, you won’t enjoy. Things that you really don’t enjoy. Things that are inconvenient – It will be worth it in the end!

Lord, thank you that you became one of us to reach us and save us. Help me to selflessly lay down my rights of inconvenience myself to reach the lost for your glory!