Day 21: Be as a Jew to Jews and a Gentile to Gentiles

Though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. – 1 Corinthians 9:19–21 ESV

Dean Bye has a challenge for us:

1 Corinthians 9:19–21 talks about being as a Jew with a Jew, but as a Greek with a Greek (any Gentile). The reality is we must almost have to use two different languages, depending on who we are talking with. One language is with the church and Christians—Christianese—using terms that Christians know. The other language is with Jews, using language they understand, like Torah, Hashem (which means The Name), Zion, etc.

We will get in trouble when we use Christianese in front of Jews, and vice versa if we start using Jewish or Hebrew terms with many Christians. We must be sensitive to where people are so we don’t turn them off to the truth. As Yeshua is an offense to the Jews in many ways, Israel is an offense to the body of Christ. This is true until we connect the two.

Some people, when they have gotten the revelation of Israel, have turned their pastors and others off to the truth by pushing them to do things that Jews do, like blow the shofar before starting a meeting or meet on Saturday rather than Sunday or challenging them every time they use replacement theology. This can put them on guard. We need wisdom to know what to say, when to say it and how to say it.

It’s important that in our zeal and excitement over what we’ve learned, we don’t destroy relationships with our pastors, churches, families, or friends. This can take a lot of patience for many people who are excited about Israel and want to honor the people and the land. If we have a servant’s heart of humility, God will show us what to do and say if we ask Him.

Some people will get excited about the new truths they learned, but they realize that their pastor doesn’t get as excited about them, so suddenly, they begin to hate the church. Remember, God loves His church, His Ecclesia, and so in our love for Israel, let’s not diminish His love for the church so the pendulum swings the other way. Let’s thank God for the revelation He has given us, but don’t get upset with our pastors, parents or others that they didn’t teach us these truths. They probably were not trying to hide it from us; they just didn’t know. Instead, our attitude should be thanksgiving—thanking God that He has opened our eyes to this, rather than being condescending to others.

We don’t want to be arrogant. If we think we can carry this revelation of God’s heart for Israel without the character of Jesus, it isn’t going to happen. The bottom line is we need the character of Jesus to carry the revelation of God’s heart.

Yeshua is the center of the gospel, a truth we don’t give up when we gain revelation about His heart for Israel. Pastors appreciate when I highlight the centrality of Christ in this message. I speak in a lot of churches and conferences, and often pastors say, “I think I can talk to you about this, but I have people in my congregation who are creating division.” This message is not intended to bring division, insensitivity or condemnation; it’s meant to enhance the gospel. It should unite us if we are functioning with the heart of God.

I challenge you to check your heart and ask God to show you any ways you may have caused division or turned your pastor or others off to these truths you’ve learned. If He shows you anything, confess it to God first, then to the person you offended. Go to them with a spirit of humility, not with an attitude to try to change them. That won’t work and will probably push them farther away. If you ask God, He will show you what to say and when to speak.

After reading what Dean Bye just shared, consider the following:

• What is God saying to you through what he shared?
• Is there anyone you may have hurt or offended by your sharing what you’ve learned in this study? If so, ask God what you may need to do.
• Seek God about how to talk to family, friends and your pastor about what you’ve learned.

Let’s examine 1 Corinthians 9:19–21 (NLT): “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.”

• What does it mean we are free?
• How can you make yourself a servant of all? In what ways have you done that?
• How might you need to make yourself a servant in order to win others to know God’s heart?
• How could you become like a Jew when you are with them? What might that look like?
• How might becoming like a Jew, help you win them to Christ? I believe part of that is befriending them first, rather than trying to convince them that Jesus is the Messiah.
• What do you think it means to be like a Gentile to other Gentiles? How can you do that?
• How might becoming like a Gentile with your Gentile friends, family and pastor help you to win them to the truth of God’s heart for Israel and Jews?

A prayer to pray

Lord God, would You show me how You want me to live like a Jew with Jews and like a Gentile with Gentiles? I need Your wisdom with each person I encounter. Help me to love them with Your love and not make them feel like they are being bashed over the head with Scripture. Forgive me for any arrogance I have had, thinking that I know and understand You and Your Scriptures more than others. I repent for that and want to act in love and humility.

Prayer points for today

• Pray for wisdom to know how to talk to other believers about what you have learned in these studies and how to effectively connect with Jews who don’t yet know their Messiah.
• Pray that God will lay on Jewish people’s hearts to want to live in Israel.
• Pray God raises up more people to help Jews make Aliyah. Ask God if He wants you to be part of that answer.

An action to take

Make a list of Jewish people you know and begin to pray for new opportunities to open up dialog with them.