We have a witness to mount before a lost world. This consideration governed so much of what Paul did.
So often we unconsciously follow a different principle to the one taught in the Bible: ‘Do I enjoy this? Is it easy?’ This is often the prevailing factor in making a decision. ‘Why do you want to study that subject?’ ‘Because it interests me!’ That may seem valid; that is so often why the world does it, but for the Christian it is not valid reasoning at all. Imagine if Paul had done this. ‘I will go anywhere that sounds fun, interests me, where the atmosphere will be congenial.’ How could he possibly have accomplished the work Christ called him to do? His whole life was directed towards maximising the number of those who are saved, and so should ours be.