Romans 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

“That looks like fun. I want to try that.” If you haven’t said it, you have probably heard it. It might be snowboarding, parasailing, surfing, or a number of different activities that look like fun. Just because it looks like it is easy, doesn’t mean you will be good at it.

Paul is speaking of something much more serious than sports. There is a segment of society that look up to the notoriety of some preachers and evangelists. Respected and popular are not unpleasant words. In the past there have been a few that have gained a following who are not in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not for me to judge but I suspect the same thing exists today.

What intrigued me about today’s verse are the words, “by any means”. While I might personally prefer to have a pastor or teacher that has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I cannot deny the preaching of the gospel “by any means”. It is why bibles left in a motel room that is picked up by one hurting soul can lead them to salvation. Man saves no one. Only God save, “by any means”.

Philippians 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.