Bluntly… rarely does this work! (Then again… it could be me.) I know we’re taught in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (AMP) by Paul:
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I may win more [for Christ]. …
I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means [in any and every way] save some [by leading them to faith in Jesus Christ]. And I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings along with you.”
And this sounds like a noble and worthy reason to be all to all, but… actually, how does one apply this approach?
However, do not mistake my words as doubting that the Lord was giving us this information – not. Instead, let me propose a different way of understanding this scripture. I believe it was a method used by Paul to find a common ground with whomever he was speaking. It was not a wishy washy approach. Yet, too often this is what we may portray – incorrectly. Obviously, it doesn’t work in a group setting primarily because we portray a person that goes with the flow, agrees with whomever they are with – whether or not they really do.
Perhaps we need to know why we are trying to be all to all. To me a wishy washy approach would not be a good application of this philosophy. But if you begin considering the situations Paul was in, one’s perspective does change. I realize that Paul was speaking in order to present a new way of thinking and trying to help his audience understand. But this doesn’t mean watering down or compromising the message, something Paul never did.
So our why and our how becomes critical. Being all things to all people does not mean compromise or equivocating. It is not diluting the message or failing to lift up the Lord. But perhaps it does help us to present the message more clearly and in the words our listeners will understand. The message and the focus of the message are what is important… and this should always be our goal.
Paul’s words to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:1-3) can guide us.
“…preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, …”
This – preach, be ready, correct, warn, exhort, encourage, teach – is the alternative on how to be all to all.
