Relevant Without Compromise

At first glance this post may seem trite but please look deeper to the harder questions that may arise in your spirit after reading this. Sometimes things are not so black and white. I'm not saying there isn't absolute truth because there definitely is but what I'm saying is that not everything in the Christian life has an easy answer.
This post has been stirring in my spirit for WEEKS now. I read this post over at Makeesha's blog http://www.swingingfromthevine.com/2007/10/18/can-we-help-those-unlike-us/ .

I posted a comment and then kept waking up throughout the night to think on what was stirring in my spirit. I mean, I WANT to be able to relate to all types of people. I don't want to be looked on as "untouchable". I am willing to give up things to do that. However, I'm not willing to compromise morals to do it. (For the record I am NOT saying that Makeesha is saying you should. Just to be clear, this is about what I feel God is speaking to me.) So, for the last 3 weeks this topic has been stirring in my spirit- How can we, as Christians, be relevant without compromising.
The first set of things I am going to share was written down, by me, the day or so after her blog post. The second set of things was written down last Sunday during our pastor's sermon titled- "Worldliness, External or Internal?"

First Set of Thoughts-
Let's look at Jesus and the Samaritan woman. To speak with her at the well that day He had to overcome many obstacles: cultural stereotypes (Jew/Samaritan), gender, "privilege". He did all that without changing who He was.

Here Paul warns us not to succumb to temptation:
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3They all ate the same spiritual food 4and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
6Now these things occurred as examples[a] to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry."[b] 8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Here he mentions the call to be separate from the world...
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."[b] 17"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."[c] 18"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

also 2 Corinthians 7:1
1Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

YET, Jesus Himself hung out with the worst of the worst. He ate dinner in the homes of criminals (tax collectors), He touched the forbidden sores of leprosy, He spoke to the prostitutes, etc. Even in His greatest hour of trial (on the cross) He reached out to a criminal and gave him eternal life.
How was Jesus able to live and walk among these people without changing who He was or watering down the message He brought? People were attracted to Jesus (and later His disciples) but not because He was the same as them. They were attracted to His godliness. There was something different about Him. They were also attracted to His humility, compassion, and love. I believe those are really key things we need to operate in.
We can live among those we are serving. We can sell our possessions and give to the poor. We can listen as people poor out their hearts. We need to eliminate as many obstacles as possible to reach others. Paul taught this as well. As much as Paul taught holy living with high standards he also said this:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
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.

There must be a way to do both. Live holy and be relevant. Being relevant without compromise involves humility, love and compassion. It doesn't involve delivering food to the poor so we can check it off our to do list. It doesn't involve "stooping" down to somebody's level to bring them the gospel in a prideful way. People can sense genuineness and appreciate it so much. We need to ask God to pour His love into our hearts so we can give it away to others. We need the Holy Spirit to help us move in compassion. Relevant without compromise.

Second Set of Thoughts/Notes from the sermon on Sunday
There is a tendency to withdraw fr0m the world. Jesus made friends with sinners. Not all of them were "quality" friends.
We need to be immersed in the lives of those we are trying to reach. Its a more effective method. Yet, God calls us to be separate.
DUCKS SPEND THEIR TIME IN WATER AND YET NEVER GET WET. hence the phrase "water off a duck's back" Immersed yet dry.
QUMRAN'S DIVE AND HUNT FOR FISH BUT COME UP SOAKING WET. THEY CAN'T EVEN FLY BECAUSE THEIR FEATHERS ARE SATURATED.

Which bird are you? Do you come away from being immersed in the lost wet or dry? There is a balance. We need to hang out with others in the Body of Christ but we also need to be immersed in the lives of the lost.
"Keep it in balance.
The path to holiness is not isolation.
The path to holiness is sanctification and unity with the people of God amidst ministry to those in need."

Again the theme seemed to be relevant without compromise.

Let's look for ways to do that. Let's challenge each other to really love the lost in a tangible, touchable way.

Blessings on your journey!
Angela :)