Paul proudly declares that he...
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Paul proudly declares that he has become all things to all people. "How can this be?" we ask. We tend to agree with Abraham Lincoln's thinking: "You can please some of the people all the time and all the people some of the time, but you cannot please all the people all of the time."
Paul understands that he must meet people where they are and be unconditionally accepting. He may have recalled the time when he had been demanding and inflexible in his own expectations of others. He had insisted that they behave in a certain manner and believe as he did.
Along the way, Paul learned that if he were to speak to people about Christ, he would first have to understand their life issues and needs from their perspective. Paul was willing to give up his own preference of correct doctrine so that others might come to know the freedom and joy that are central in the life of faith.
Paul understands that he must meet people where they are and be unconditionally accepting. He may have recalled the time when he had been demanding and inflexible in his own expectations of others. He had insisted that they behave in a certain manner and believe as he did.
Along the way, Paul learned that if he were to speak to people about Christ, he would first have to understand their life issues and needs from their perspective. Paul was willing to give up his own preference of correct doctrine so that others might come to know the freedom and joy that are central in the life of faith.
