The first reason Paul gives to his readers for following his example is his identification with them: for I became like you (v. 12). In his evangelism of the Galatians, Paul did not preach at them from a distance. He entered into their culture, adapted to their ways and became one with them. Even though he was a Jew, trained as a Pharisee to be totally separate from Gentiles, he lived like a Gentile in order to reach the Gentiles for Christ. His practice of identification illustrated the principle he enunciated in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22: "I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. . . . To those not having the law I became like one not having the law . . . so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."

The same practice of identification is necessary today, if we are going to communicate the gospel effectively to people. We must put ourselves in their place, eat what they eat, dress as they dress, talk their language, experience their joys and sorrows, and enter into their way of thinking. If we want people to become like us in our commitment to Christ, then we must become one with them.

One of the best examples of identification I've ever seen is a woman who lives in a country closed to all missionary activity. She lives with a large family. Except for participating in their religious practices, she has totally identified with the way this family lives. The government is sponsoring her to write the ancient legends of the people in a simple format for children to learn. As she has researched and written these stories, she has been able to enter into the mind of the people. They love the way she retells their favorite stories. In a quiet and very effective way she has been able to lead people to commit their lives to Christ because she first became one with them.

Paul's identification with the Galatians served as a compelling reason for them to stand with him in his commitment to Christ and freedom from the law. After all, if Paul as a Jewish Christian was willing and able to live like them, then it was clear that living like a Jew or a Gentile is not what matters. What matters is simply faith in Christ.