THURSDAY August 10, 2023
Becoming All Things to All Men
Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
Acts 16:3
God had placed a special call on Timothy’s life. In his hometown and around the city, everyone knew he had a good reputation. He was not known for being wild and carless, but just the opposite. He was a young man who was dedicated to the Lordship of Christ. He came from a god-fearing family. I am sure his grandmother and mother had spent hours in prayer for him.
Why would Paul circumcise Timothy when the council in Jerusalem had already settled the issue of circumcision? The elders had sent a letter with Paul and other chosen men to Antioch to convey their decision. Gentile believers did not have to be circumcised to be saved. I believe, Paul had Timothy circumcised so he could proclaim the message of the Gospel to all men. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, we find this was exactly Paul’s heart and mind:
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....
Again, pray for young people today. They need to be salt and light in an increasingly, spiritually dark world. Looking back, I would pray twice as much than I have for my children and grandchildren. Our youth are facing issues and enticements that we have never faced. For the Gospel’s sake, pray!
Soul-winning is the chief business of the Christian minister; it should be the main pursuit of every true believer.
~Charles Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
