Be willing to adapt

"When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law." 1 Corinthians 9:20 NLT

Thirty-eight thousand runners from 85 countries and regions were challenged by extreme heat at the 2019 Shanghai International Marathon on Sunday. The highest reported temperature of the day was 77 degrees with it reportedly feeling even hotter under the sun. Yang Dinghong, the first Chinese male runner to finish the full marathon in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 21 seconds later said, “The weather today is quite hot. But the back-up supply by the organizers was quite good. It shall not be a problem (to finish the race) as long as you adjust your mentality and adapt to the conditions.”

And you know, while it's very important to be able to adapt to changing conditions on the racecourse, it's even more important to be able to adapt the way we present the Good News of the Gospel to reach all people - something Paul clearly understood when he wrote, "When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under the law... so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law." You see, Paul didn't change the Message, he only adapted the way he presented it to whatever audience he might be speaking to, finding a commonality and building his presentation on that to make the Message easier to understand.

And you know, our world really hasn't changed much since Paul's time. There are lost people of all walks of life that need to hear the Gospel in a way they can identify with. So let us pray for discernment and wisdom as we make every effort to explain the Good News in the best way our listener will grasp it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we are never to change the Message or compromise it in any way but should be willing and able to adapt the way we present it to our audience, introducing it in a way that will be clearly understood and lead the lost to You. Give us the wisdom and guidance to do that very thing Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Tell the World that - Hillsong United