Paul was set free from religious traditions, man-made codes of conduct, and secular prejudices. His soul had found the secret to perfect liberty ... yet he made himself a servant to all men. Out of his own volition, he relinquished his freedom in order to win as many people as possible for Christ.
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews, I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might, by all means, save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
He had a right to be free from the social customs of others but chose to lay that right aside and enslave himself to all. Paul consented to the varied human conditions so that he might gain an ear for the message of the gospel. In doing so, he never compromised his relationship with the Lord or the truth found therein. The Apostle to the Gentiles removed the cultural barriers that would needlessly offend those he was trying to reach.
As we interact with the lost; personal feelings about world events and/or political points of view are to be avoided. The purpose of accommodating the hearer is so the salvation message can remain front and center ... not to engage in superfluous, opinion-laden dialogue.
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh ... Galatians 5:13
The paradox: A follower of Christ is free in all things and subject to nobody, yet ... he is a servant in all things, subject to everybody.
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