For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews 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.
–1 Corinthians 9:19-22
It’s always interesting when I’m with groups of non-Christians and people know that I’m a pastor. It’s amazing how some people react. They’ll get out of our conversation as quickly and pleasantly as they can because they’re worried I’m judging every word they say!
Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity more and more to be with non-believers on athletic teams and such. And what’s really fun is to be able to show those people that we’re real people. It’s so nice when I overhear, “Jack Graham is a preacher, so why isn’t he wearing his tie?”
It’s a fact that many non-believers in the world today have a mental picture of what a Christian is: judgmental, self-righteous, hypocritical, and just kind of a downer when it comes to having a good time. But we can change that if we meet non-Christians on their own turf and show them we’re real people too.
As Christians, we’re called to be in the world without being of the world. So spend time with non-believers and enjoy yourself with them. When you do that, you’ll shatter their stereotype of what a Christian is and have wonderful opportunities to show them the love of Christ.
WHILE YOU’RE NOT OF THE WORLD, YOU’RE IN THE WORLD. SHOW GOD’S LOVE TO NON-BELIEVERS BY SPENDING TIME WITH THEM ON THEIR TURF.
