"I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22b (Read v. 16-27)
The apostle Paul was called and entrusted with the task of preaching to all men -- and especially to the Gentiles -- the gospel of forgiveness and life in our Lord Jesus Christ. He was to call all people to repentance and faith in Jesus, God the Son in human flesh, and the redemption He accomplished for all when He suffered and died upon the cross and rose again on the third day.
As such, the apostle could not boast of going above and beyond what he was called to do in anything, except in the fact that he preached the saving gospel without charge, that he did not make use of his right to be fully supported in his work.
And the apostle -- as do all of us -- had great freedom in Jesus Christ. He was no longer bound under the Old Testament ceremonial laws which regulated such things as how to worship, observance of the Sabbath and what one could eat. All was fulfilled in Christ Jesus; and in Jesus, the apostle -- as are all of us -- was dead to the requirements of the law.
Yet, the apostle says: "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
What did he mean? Though he was free and no longer obligated to keep the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, he used his freedom in such a way that he served all and could reach out with the saving gospel to all. When witnessing to the Jews, he observed the Sabbath and worshiped in accord with Jewish customs. When sharing Christ with Gentiles, he did not follow the strict Jewish customs and laws. When witnessing to the weak in faith, he respected their weaknesses and did not use his liberty in such a way as would cause them to sin against their consciences.
What does this mean for us? Though we cannot yield in matters of doctrine or living in accord with God's moral law (cf. v. 24-27), we have great liberty in Christ. We are not bound in regard to worship days, the foods we eat, or even in our forms of worship (cf. Colossians 2:16-17; Psalm 141:2; Psalm 150; John 4:23-24). We are free in Christ Jesus!
But it is important to use that liberty for the eternal salvation of all. We know we can drink alcohol in moderation, but if witnessing to those who think it is wrong, we would not exercise that freedom. We know we can worship with organ and liturgy, but we also know we are free to worship in casual dress and with other forms of worship and music. We use that freedom to reach out with the gospel and save others. We become all things to all men that we might save some.
Grant to us, Lord Jesus, that we would use the freedom You have given us in the gospel to be all things to all men that we might share with them the good news of forgiveness and life in Your name. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]
Community on 02/11/2015