Approaching our final post describing biblical precedents draws attention to the precedent of leadership in the life of the apostle Paul.

While several areas represent the qualities of leadership demonstrated by Paul, one specific area is the focus of our post: flexibility (read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

Notice the driving force of Paul’s flexibility: “so that I might win…by all means save some.” Nothing took greater precedence in his life than leading others to Christ.

Notice there was no compromise to the truth: “not without the law of God, but under the law of Christ.” The “anything goes” approach was unacceptable. At all times Paul was in submission to Jesus.

Notice the flexibility of personal choice: “I do all things for the sake of the gospel.” Loyalty to Christ was never abandoned, but in matters of personal choice or opinion, he was flexible.

The point of this precedent is to show Paul’s heart to always put others above himself. He desired only to glorify God, honor Jesus, and reach others with the saving message of the gospel. If Christians modeled this biblical precedent today, we could change the world.