Finding Common Ground

It has been far too long since I last posted anything and quite a bit has happened since then. I now have my passport and visa and have pretty much finished raising all the money I will need for my internship in India. God is so good and I have been incredibly blessed by the many people He has placed in my life who have jumped at the opportunity to support me through prayer and financial support. I will forever be grateful. In other news, I have officially decided to intern with GHI’s partner ICM. I will be working in orphanages that house special needs children of all ages, both ministering to the children as well as performing administrative duties. I am excited about having the opportunity to serve these precious children who are so deeply loved by my heavenly Father.

Earlier, as I was pondering what aspects of leadership I ought to include in an assignment for one of my classes, which involves designing a leadership training event, and looking up Bible verses on being a servant, I happened upon this passage, which was also perfect for another assignment I am working on, but that is a whole other story. Anyway, I think it is quite applicable to what I will be doing in India, and I thought I might share it here:

“Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”

                                                 ~ 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT)

Here, Paul was explaining how he identified with the people he was sharing the gospel with, always looking for some sort of common ground which would provide an opening to tell them about Christ, with the goal of seeing them become saved. Another passage that goes along with this, and provides an example of the method Paul explains here, is found in Acts 17:16-34, which is where Paul preaches in Athens, proclaiming that the “unknown god” the Athenians worshipped could actually be known (v. 23), and that this “unknown god” was actually God, the creator of the universe and sustainer of their lives. Basically, Paul took the knowledge he had of what the people he ministered to already believed, found a common  thread between that and the gospel, and used their beliefs as a springboard for proclaiming the gospel.
As I have been preparing for my summer in India and researching information on Hinduism for one of my class assignments, I have noticed that the method Paul used is the method we ought to all use when preaching the gospel. Not only does it convey respect for and knowledge of the beliefs of the other person, it also aids in his or her understanding of the gospel. I would argue that before we ever think of sharing the gospel with anyone, we should first find out what the other person believes and then look for an area of common ground, from which we can then point toward Christ. But, I have digressed a bit, so back to the 1 Corinthians passage.
While I am in India (or anywhere else, for that matter), I must seek points of “common ground” by which I can relate to the people I interact with, all with the goal of eventually seeing them come to know Jesus Christ. Though there will be a language barrier, I know that God is greater than any obstacles and that by His great power and grace, everything I do and say will be used to His glory. By God’s grace I, like Paul, can seek to find areas in which I can share with the people of India, whether that is something as simple as serving alongside the “ayahs” (“nannies” or “caregivers”) in the orphanages, or tagging along to the market with some of the other women, I can share in their joys and struggles – regardless of any language barrier. The love of God far exceeds any barrier, and it transcends language and culture. My job is simply to faithfully serve in whatever position He places me and to whatever capacity He enables me.


Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.