I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23, For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave 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, though not being myself under the Law, that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

Some might call Paul hypocritical, changing his behavior to suit the cultural background of those he was reaching; he calls it practical. We are free in Christ, and most of us abuse our freedom. One of my teachers issues a very simple challenge to us men: “Where are your men?” Indeed, am I just digesting more and more from Bible study, accumulating notes on various electronic toys, or is there a purpose?

Open Your purpose for me, show me those men whom you have for me that I may encourage them in Christ Jesus.