all things to all people

Paul talks to the followers of Jesus in Corinth about being “all things to all people”.

I think it would seem that many would choke on that concept.

It seems that making a supreme effort ot connect with all kinds of people is a foreign concept.

Some of us feel we should only hang out with “people like us”.

That's a very interesting thought process.

Unbiblical, but interesting.

I wonder where you & I would be if the people who were most influential in encouraging us to follow Jesus would have had that sort of attitude?

Anyway, here's what Paul had to say about it...

1 Corinthians 9

19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a servant to all people so that I can 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.

  24 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?

So run to win!

25 All athletes are disciplined in their training.

They do it to win a prize that will fade away,

but we do it for an eternal prize.

26 So I run with purpose in every step.

I am not just shadowboxing.

27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.

Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.