Paul being Paul, and all things to all people...

The text that I chose to preach over this past Sunday (from the offerings in the Lectionary) was '1st Corinthians 9:16-27'.  These verses contain the often quoted line "I have become all things to all people". Least we think that this means to be disingenuous or even dishonest, we need to realize that (at least in my interpretation) Paul is not urging us to be disrespectful of scripture (look at the book of Galatians if you think Paul is capable of weakening the Gospel message) but... that Paul is calling us all to have empathy for others.  We must meet people where they are, we cannot expect them to view the world as we do; at least not without some training and guidance and no short portion of time.

We come to others in love, and we lead them with love... we lead them towards a better relationship with God.  And the truly wonderful thing is that as we are leading them towards God, we're headed in the same direction ourselves.  Praise God!

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His unwavering Love & Grace,

Roy

1st Corinthians 9:16-27  (NRSV)

16 If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.

19 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25 Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 26 So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; 27 but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.