“To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law,” 1 Corinthians 9:20.

We are told in the above-mentioned scripture about the importance of relating to others based upon their culture and background. There are so many different types of people in the world around us, and many of them have belief systems and ideas that contrast our own. Jesus was a friend of many, and was accused of being a friend to sinners:

“For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children,” Luke 7:33-35.

But Jesus didn’t become like the ones He sometimes associated with. He welcomed all to come to Him, and yet, He remained true to His Godly character. We come in contact with all kinds of people where we work, live, or in our neighborhoods. And yet just because we talk and spend time with them, doesn’t mean that we need to change our beliefs or values, so that we are like them.

Chameleons are unusual types of lizards in that they change their color to fit their surroundings. If they are climbing a tree with olive green leaves, then their skin quickly adapts to those colors, and one quickly notices that they have somehow dissolved into the background.

If they are climbing on the forest floor that has sticks and rocks strewn about, then once again, their skin has changed and they are lost amidst the rocks and sticks.

We don’t need to change the color of our skin just to fit in with those we meet. We can become “like the Greek or the Jew,” without partaking in their parties or lifestyle.

“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man,” William Shakespeare

~ Stephen Hanson

Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the Lord is a special way in 1975 and has been prophesying regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are to be reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?