(vs. 22).

“I have become all things to all people,
that I might by all means save some”

Becoming all things to all people is grossly misunderstood in today’s world. It is scary what people of all ages will do to be accepted. Have you seen the latest anti-drug commercials on TV?

One depicts a boy sitting in what I suspect is the principles office with his entire fist stuck in his mouth. While he attempts to tell you what happens, the principle speaks for him. She says, “Yesterday my friends dared me to talk drugs. Today they dare me to put my fist in my mouth.” Another commercial shows a boy running through a lumber yard with a dog chasing him. He is says, “Yesterday my friends dared me to take drugs, today they dared me to see if I could outrun the lumberyard watch dog.”

When Paul said,

He was not encouraging us to be someone we are not. He would not condone teens carrying out dares, starving themselves or turning on old friends just to be accepted or to find self worth.

Paul is not advocating that we should become someone we are not. We can best understand the point Paul is trying to make by thinking in terms of the saying, "When in Rome do as the Romans do."

When in Rome we have an obligation to try to understand, to walk alongside with, to identify with, and to sympathize with the customs and practices of the Romans. When I went over to Israel several years ago, at the end of each day of touring we met to learn the next day’s itinerary. The most important information we received was the day’s dress code. Wearing shorts or women wearing clothing that exposed their shoulders or mid drifts were offensive in the culture where we were. Wearing such clothing would hinder our image as American’s and as Christians.

This is the key to Paul’s teaching. Do not do anything that may hinder people from accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

WHY?

Paul was concerned with clearing the ground of any obstacles that might hinder unbelievers from coming to Christ.

“To the Jew he became like a Jew.
To those under the law
he became like one under the law.
To those not under the law,
he became like one not under the law.
To the weak he became weak.”
WHY?
“to win the weak.”

Paul was challenging the Christians of Corinth as he is challenging you and me to bend over backwards to be sensitive to non-Christians so as not to hinder people from accepting the gospel.

Paul is not calling us to change God’s Word. We dare not apply this strategy to issues of fundamental morality or immorality. We must never stop practicing the virtues that are always right – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Paul is saying we must change the forms of the message in order to preserve its content. Paul’s ultimate desire is that as many people are saved as possible.

I have been asked a number of times, why does the church have to change. Why do we have to accommodate the needs, the wants, and the desires of the new people? The answer is no different for us as it was in Paul’s day,

“to win the weak,”

“I have become all things to all people,
that I might by all means save some”

“To win the weak, to save some people”

Is this our ultimate desire?

Without compromising the truth of God’s Word are we willing to do what we can and even go to extreme lengths to save some? Are we willing to make the kinds of sacrifices athletes in training are willing to make?

This Thursday the Olympics begin. No doubt we will hear stories of athletes from all over the world who have overcome tremendous setbacks and injuries to be there. One such story involves an Olympic skier who two weeks after making the US Olympic team four years ago broke her leg. It was thought she would never walk again no less ski. Her dedication to her rehabilitation and her willingness to make sacrifices has enabled her to earn a spot on this year’s US Olympic team.

What kind of sacrifice are you willing to make

“To win the weak, to save some people.”