I am concerned that there are many Christians who think that by becoming worldly they can win the lost to Christ.They might say "if they can see that we are just like them then they might see that Christianity really isn't that bad and they will accept Jesus." This whole idea that if we just become more like the world that our evangelism will be more effective is unbiblical. I do realize that Paul says in 1Cor.9:22- "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." However we must understand the context of 1Cor.9 to understand this verse: This portion starts in verse 19 where it says: "I have made myself a servant unto all, that I might gain the more." Therefore we could say that preaching the gospel starts in the heart. So often in the past those who have been purposing to evangelize have only been making converts to their own cultural or political or sociological perspectives and this can happen on either side of the spectrum. What I mean is that there are those who go out to evangelize and try to connect with people by playing music that sounds worldly but has Christian lyrics or by compromising on moral issues to show the world that we are "just like them" or by dressing or talking just like the world and really that person is winning those people over to a culture and not necessarily to Christ. When Paul went to the Gentiles he adapted to the Gentiles where he could to win them, we see that Gal.2 when he rebuked Peter, but when Paul went to the Jews he would adapt to them where he could, to win them. However when these people today say that they want to win people to Christ by having a rap concert I don't see them going and putting on a suit, at other times, and going to win the politicians. Let's get real most people that teach this "cultural relevance" want the things of this world not to win the lost but because they love the world. Then on the other side we can be a legalist and convert people to our own self righteous standards that aren't Biblical and win people to our own political and economic perspective. So what are we to do? 1st we are not to be concerned with the things of this world 1Tim6:8-And having food and raiment let us be there with content. How I dress is not of my greatest concern, although when I speak to the homeless guys I don't wear a suit and tie and when I go to speak to a magistrate I don't wear shorts and a tee shirt. 1Thes.5:22-says- Abstain from all appearance of evil. As those who represent Jesus Christ we don't want to look like, talk like, smell like sin in any way and at the same time because of our servants heart, because of the work of the Holy Spirit in us we adapt where we can. 2nd is that we must preach the truth and the truth is God, the Law, sin and the Gospel, in that order, and I will write about that in my next blog.
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