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1 Corinthians 9:19-22 – Accepting the Challenge of Becoming All Things to All Men
Become all things to all men so that by all means we may save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). This passage is easy to interpret and apply for Paul’s time; and I challenge it is conversely hard to interpret and apply in ours.
1. We might do some things some think are unlawful and sinful (Acts 15). Even when those “forbidden” or “questionable” acts are lawfully right.
2. We might jeopardize our reputation with “our people” (Galatians 2). P
3. We might have to adjust our conscience according to new knowledge, new situations, and new opportunities (Acts 10-11).
4. We might have to forego some freedoms, not because they are wrong, and not because we are being hypocritical. Rather, because we don’t want to lead our friends to violate their consciences.
In coming to earth, the greatest evangelist became all things to all men.
1. He was adored by the ceremonially unclean outcasts such as shepherds and Gentiles in His birth.
2. He was invited to eat with sinners and tax collectors…and the religious sinners who didn’t see themselves as bad as “THEM”.
3. He was numbered with transgressors in His death.
Summing up the entire incarnation we see the principle of becoming all things to all men:
Romans 8:3 (CSB) “For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering.”.
Becoming all things to all men never means we act as if we are without the law of Christ. But it definitely means we act more like “THEM” than “US” when possible, when right, when expedient, and when evangelizing, so that “by all means we may save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
1 Corinthians 9:23 (CSB) “Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.”
Do you see the sad ironic truth? In evangelism and “church life”, we will be wrongly judged by US for doing right for THEM; not realizing that from God’s perspective we all were THEM. Jesus accepted that challenge. Do we?
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