Paul is defending himself from those accusing him of being, in essence, a salesman. People in Galatia were saying he would preach whatever he needed to get converts.
His enemies were sighting Paul's willingness to do whatever it takes to reach others for Christ. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul said "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."
(1 Corinthians 9:22)
Some churches today have done what Paul's enemies accused him of doing. They have watered down the message of God in order to increase membership. Some have explained away things in scripture that might be offensive, and replaced them with feel good platitudes.
But that is not what Paul was doing.
But that is not what Paul was doing.
So what is the difference?...
The difference is found in Paul's statement to the Galatians, and it deals with who you serve. If your goal is popularity?...if the size of your following is your main objective, then you are serving men, and cannot be a servant of Christ.
Our conviction must be, that we will do anything it takes, and become anything we must become, in order to reach others for Christ....but we will not change the message.
As soon as we change the gospel, it is no longer the gospel. If you alter the Truth, it ceases to be the Truth...and it is gutted of it's power. We must speak the pure, unpolluted Truth of God.
Be careful not to let the pendulum swing in either direction....don't water down God's word so it does not offend, and do not demand more than scripture does from those who seek to be children of God.
Your responsibility is to serve Christ only...take His unchanged message to His children, and get it to them any way you can.
"You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say."
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
No comments:
Post a Comment