SCRIPTURE: Acts 21:17-26
“Then everyone will know… that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.” (Acts 21:24)
To understand why Paul submits to the Law of Moses, we have to hear what he says elsewhere:

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 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. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

All things to all people… for the sake of the gospel.
It was evangelistic sensitivity for his Jewish culture that he practiced the Law of Moses.
Not because he needed to in order to be saved, but in order to save others!
Those who follow Jesus willingly limit their freedoms if it will advance the message of Jesus for others.
But what are the social-cultural issues in my context that I need to adapt to, for the gospel?

• Respecting the hijab/niqab, as well as halal food issues, for my muslim friends?
• Wearing a suit to church in traditional church settings?
• Using non-alcoholic wine for communion, for those with addiction concerns?
• Not proselytizing at public school functions (where we meet as a church)?

Avoiding any unnecessary provocation so that the only message they respond to is the grace of Jesus.
“So that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” (Titus 2:10)
We do not compromise our faith, but in matters that are indifferent, we are willing to bend in order to serve.
As the spiritual-moral-cultural climate changes, we will face more and more of these challenges.
I can’t say yet what I should do for all of these challenges, but I do need to start here:
Am I motivated to win as many as possible to Jesus?
Am I willing to be made a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, what this looks like will differ from one place and time to the next, but the challenge for me today is whether in my heart I share Paul’s passion to win as many as possible, and whether I am willing to make sacrifices to do it!