all thing to all people

1 Corinthians 9

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.

  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.

All things to all people.

Common ground.

2 things that seem to be lacking in Christians today.

There seems to be a premium place one rigidity, a judgemental rigidity, where we maintain an aloof self-righteousness, somehow expecting that kind of pride & arrogance will actually convict non-believers & DRAW them to God.

I wonder how many of us (when we were seeking a connection with Jesus) would be followers of Jesus if the initial & subsequent attitude presented to us had been the aloof self-righteousness that Christians often display here in America.

I think we all know the answer to that thought.

We wouldn't be followers of Jesus.

Neither are the people who are confronted with this strident attitude.

What was it that Jesus Himself said?

They will know we are His followers because we have a different quality of love from the rest of the world.

And for Paul, on of many expressions he espoused was trying to find common ground with everyone, so that they will feel comfortable with him, trust him, & listen to him when he talks about Jesus & how Jesus has impacted his life.

Hmmmmmm...

Maybe we could take a lesson from Paul?