From Another World

One of the most common trends today regarding Christian evangelism is the idea that to effectively reach the world, we have to be able to relate to them. This is almost always proof texted with 1 Cor. 9–“become all things to all people.” The problem with this thinking is that we have to clarify what we mean and/or what Paul meant when he said “all”. Should we drink alcohol to reach the drunks? Should we surround ourselves with idolatry to reach the idolater? Do we have to listen, watch, and be entertained by that which the world is entertained in order to effectively reach them? Do we need to talk a certain way, dress a certain way and tell jokes a certain way in order for lost people to listen to us and not think we are from another world? But are we not from another world? Shouldn’t we look, talk, and act like we are from another world? Perhaps sometimes the reason the church is not effectively reaching this lost generation is not because we come across as too different, but because we come across as too similar. Be in the world but not of the world. –John 15:19