By: Obed Pineda
After reading the title, what possibilities crossed your mind as to what this piece may be about? Perhaps, your first thought is connected with the common interpretation associated with this locution; to be imprudent and disrespectful by going beyond what is acceptable. Maybe this was not where your stream of consciousness directed your ideas, and instead the correlation was a literal one. If so, it is likely that what sprouted forth in your mind’s eye was the image of someone entering a country or an establishment by crossing over a border, a fence, or even a wall. No matter what conclusion you may or may not have arrived as to the meaning of the title, one thing is undeniable: they are all assumptions until you actually read the article to learn what it is. In other words, you have to get to know this treatise by allowing it to tell you what it is about with the content of its words. It can be agreed upon by all that creating an assumption into an assertion without proper investigation is both unwise and dangerous. Again, if one is to unveil what the intended meaning of this article’s title is, one must take the time to read and “listen” to the words provided by the piece itself. One must be willing to go beyond just reading the title and staying inside the comfort zone constructed by a personal inference. Holy Writ agrees for verily it is written, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Proverbs 18:13). There is no question that the sage advice of the inspired penmen is a warning against making impulsive judgments or decisions. The proverb invites its reader to stop, consider, and weigh wisely what exactly is being presented before them. For this to be achieved, the person is required to listen and inquire diligently so that proper understanding may be gained. Once a correct understanding of the situation or of the person has been secured, an upright judgment can be made. Observe once again the time, effort, and desire that must be invested by the individual who is striving to make the right assessment about a person or situation. Furthermore, notice that any and all preconceived ideas must be dissipated as a means to prevent any faulty logic from happening. If one is to accomplish a righteous determination about another, one must be willing and ready to leave the bubble of their comfort and cross the line of silence by initiating a sincere and loving conversation that will illuminate the true nature of a person. Too often potential relationships that can thrive and be of a great blessing to society are left untapped because no true attempt at communication is made. A very popular excuse used by those who prefer to remain within their circle of complacency is that they could not understand one another. To them, this author asks, did you cross the line of your personal preference into theirs with the purpose of understanding them? In speaking to the Corinthians about his profound need to preach the Gospel, the apostle Paul declared “for though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under the law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the Gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you” (1st Corinthians 9:19-23). Paul’s explanation of the marvelous lengths he readily went for saving a soul exhibits the intended meaning of this composition’s title. Paul found ways to modify his approach to whomever was ready to listen to him teach them the Gospel in a way relatable to them (cf. Acts 21:37-40, 23:1-9). The apostle to the Gentiles understood well the great value of having proper knowledge of those with whom he spoke with, and addressed them in what he calculated was the most fitting way to connect with them. After being accused of being made mad by too much learning, Paul graciously replied to the governor “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe” (Acts 26:24-27). Luke demonstrates the keen eyes of the apostle Paul as he quickly surmised that King Agrippa was beginning to accept that Jesus is truly the prophesied Messiah. The apostle astutely concluded that if he had reacted poorly to Festus’ insult, he would have played into the governor’s attempt of discrediting the integrity of his character before Agrippa. Paul’s amazing awareness of his audience not only protected him, but more importantly it protected the solemnity of the Gospel he had just preached to those present at his trial. Remember that he had just professed that it was for preaching the Gospel that the Jews were falsely accusing him with intentions of murdering him (cf. Acts 26:19-23). Paul had defended himself by claiming that he did not conspired to commence a sedition against the Jews (cf. Acts 24:1-13). Therefore, if he had reacted violently and responded with wrath to a man in a position of authority, Paul would have provided them with reason to believe that the accusations against him were founded. Yet, Paul’s diligence in adapting to his circumstances by learning the identity of his audience opened the door for the apostle to preach the glad tidings of salvation to them. Paul crossed the line over to them seeking to win them, and not gain something they had to offer him (cf. 2nd Corinthians 12:14-15). The magnitude of Paul always crossing over to the side of understanding and empathy is amplified tremendously when we recall that at one time this same man was “circumcised the eighty day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:8). In his previous life Saul of Tarsus was uncompromising of his beliefs and was never willing to listen to the whole matter (cf. Philippians 3:6, 1st Timothy 1:12-15). Yet, when Jesus crossed the line to reach him, Paul adopted the Master’s method, imitating Him proficiently (cf. Philemon 10-12). Thus, let us be diligent in crossing our line of comfort, into the hearts of all men.