All things to all people … without compromise
1 Corinthians 9:12b-23
12b We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.
13 Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 15 Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. 16 Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!
17 If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
Paul the apostle put everything on the line to ensure he could effectively share the good news of Jesus. This often met with criticism and rejection. However, he demonstrates here the attitude I need to have if the message of life, the good news, is to break through into people’s lives.
Be like a slave.
Don’t insist on my freedoms.
In other words, he tried wherever possible not to cause offence by his behaviour, in order that people could hear the gospel. This is a fine line I realise – I am not to compromise on being obedient to God’s commands – which includes obeying the new commandment to love others as much as I love myself.
But Paul did abandon traditions and practices when it was necessary – the familiar, comfortable things – to bring the gospel of Christ ( v12) to as many people as possible. He did not let culture or tradition inhibit his message. This is the freedom he practised, knowing that holding to traditions and practices would not save him.
All the while the gospel was central.
People may be offended by the gospel of Christ, but don’t let them be offended by me or my practices.
Should we try to emulate Paul and be “all things to all people”? I believe he does set us an example, and it starts with not losing sight of the people we are talking to. I can value them by listening to their story. I can be kind and respectful. I can be sensitive to their background, life experience and their understanding of Jesus. I can also look at myself critically – what is my attitude to others? Is it judgmental? Am I misled by prejudice or too uncomfortable because of differences I don’t understand. Paul must have struggled with many of these challenges as he ministered to Gentiles and was confronted by their cultures and practices. Through it all he did not lose his love for them and their need for the life-giving gospel of Christ.
Dear Lord God, I can get hung up on “culture” and the state of your church. Is it out of step with society? Are we clinging to wrong outdated concepts and traditions which turn people off your gospel? We have your message of life, the gospel of Christ, which we want everyone to hear. Make me the kind of messenger Paul was with a servant heart. Amen
Written by Claire Moore