Relating to People

1 Corinthians 9

¹⁹Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Paul a great apostle of Christ was able to win many souls throughout different churches and along the roads of evangelism. He was able to relate to many different people from all nations he came across. How? He learnt and understood the culture, the language and the peoples hearts. Paul speaks of relating to everyone being a servant to all so that he is able to win peoples hearts. He became a Jew who was under the law, which meant knowing the law very well. Although he knew the law well but he was not under the law of the Jews but of God. Similarly those who did not have the law, Gentiles, the commoners, uneducated, he would relate to them in their terms not that he was out of the law (still under Gods law). For those who are suffering, poor and downcast he would relate to them in their terms by sharing what his experiences of hardship has been like. He was able to relate to all in order to win people for Christ.

Our skills to assimilate and become accustomed to external and cultural matters will allow us to win friends from different nations. Remembering that we do not violate the clear teaching of the Word of God nor our identity in Christ in any way.

Application wise, listening is key to conversing with people. When you listen you are able to catch peoples thoughts and hearts. Ask sincere questions so the person can open up and find a common ground to speak. When you ask questions people will realize you are truly interested in them and in that way, they will feel comfortable when you personal testify about Christ. Therefore, sometimes our general knowledge needs to be increase in order to win different people. Only then that we can relate and speak on their terms, their culture and lingo. Then we are able to speak further in the matters of the heart to them.

e.g. In past I met Columbian girl during evax and I had no idea about columbia except that country had great coffee. So I went home and did a google search on columbia history to find out what columbia culture, government, people, industries and places of interest were in order to relate. People do like speaking about what they know best. By creating opportunity you show genuine interest in them. In the end we want to win friends for Christ genuinely and sincerely. So make no mistake, we do this from the right heart.

e.g. For working people I would ask them general questions and go deeper. If you have some idea of the type of job they do, go further into details of how its done, what the future prospects are, what its like to work in the company. If you have no clue ask questions to show that you want to learn what it is to be like in the life of YOU. Similarly for students, ask about course and future plans moving towards personal hobbies and their thoughts on certain topics in news and music. When you are able to capture someones heart, you are able to share Christ to win them over for Christ.

In summary, have empathy and understanding in order to relate to people. It does not mean that when you meet a African person that you braid your hair, wear their clothes and speak their language. If you can, great but the true meaning behind communication is in order to understand someones heart and to relate to them heart-heart. The tools on how to relate to is to understand where they are coming from, from their culture, experiences and teachings of their past. This will give us a clearer picture of person to relate to and to share Christ in a way that will speak to that person. Noting that in all we do, we shall not undermine Gods Word.