Trained as a shoemaker, William Carey became known as the ‘father of modern missions’ for his missionary work in India. In 1787, he suggested that all Christians had a duty to share the gospel around the world, to which he was told: “Young man, sit down. When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid and mine.” Undeterred, however, he founded the Baptist Missionary Society five years later in 1792, and shortly travelled to India with his family.
This was only the beginning of many struggles. He saw no conversions for seven years, had to bear the death of his son from dysentery, and the deterioration of his wife’s mental health. “This is indeed the valley of the shadow of death to me,” Carey wrote at the time. “But I rejoice that I am here notwithstanding; and God is here.” In 1800, he baptised his first convert to Christianity, and over the course of the next 20 years went on to translate the Bible into dozens of major Indian languages and dialects.
The Apostle Paul demonstrates, in 1 Corinthians 9, how he uses his Christian freedom for the singular use of spreading the gospel. Even though he was not subject to the Mosiac law, Paul chose to be like the Jews when he was with them, to win them over. When he was with Gentiles, he chose to be like them instead, so that he could break down the barriers and win them over to Jesus. Likewise, William Carey would have had to make use of his Christian freedom, to adapt to a vastly different culture, in India, for the singular goal of spreading the gospel.
As Christians, we have experienced true freedom from the slavery of sin through Jesus’ death on the cross. How do we use our Christian freedom? Do we, like Paul, desire to “become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some”? We cannot change our doctrine or message, but we can change our behaviour and approach for people from different cultural backgrounds, social status, or nationalities — so that they can see the Gospel’s beauty and truth, in a way that they can understand and relate to. Indeed, the question we must ask ourselves is whether we have the same burning passion as Paul, or William Carey, to win over those who do not yet know Jesus.
