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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 31, 2006 All Things to All Men |
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Frontline Devotion for Tuesday, January 31, 2006 by Gary Shaffer
In Chapter 9, the Apostle Paul goes to some length to present his arguments for certain rights that he has as an apostle. His argument and his defense of his rights becomes quite forceful. And just as it seems that he is getting more assertive about his rights, he states in verse 15 that he has chosen not to make use of any of these rights. It is more important to be aware of the needs of others so that he may reach them with the gospel.
"To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some."
I have been working through a study that tries to help the reader determine who speaks for God in our rather confused, disjointed, multi-focused, postmodern world. The authors talk about four basic "indicators" or attributes that should be present in those that are speaking for God in today's world: humility; gratitude; the language of community; and courage. The attribute of humility is a significant component of the scripture we consider today. We live in a culture of "in your face" attitude and arrogance. It is pandemic in our society from sports through politics and even into religion. The other weekend I was sitting in the stands of a wrestling tournament watching my sons wrestle and reading the "motivational sayings" on the back of the various tee shirts. " I shoot, I score! He shoots, I score" or "Wrestling, What Real Men Do For Fun" and my favorite for the weekend "No Arrogant Saying Necessary" which my sons and I did not think was being worn as a statement of humility. In your face. As you listen to or read the news items about the different, very important issues that are being discussed in our nation, how often do you really hear calm, focused discussion about the various factors that are involved? I think it is very seldom. The majority of the "discussion" is merely launching of in your face statements meant to overwhelm any different opinion.
As Paul writes in this chapter, we are not called to assert our rights or witness through arrogant boasting about what we have done for God or what God has done for us. We are not to assert our freedom if what is required is that we become slaves if necessary to witness for others. In a society of hyper individualism, a message that tells us that we are to become all things to all men to witness to others is a difficult message to hear, because too often we plan our life around "what's in it for me?" as opposed to "what will benefit them?"
Humble people can in gratitude and with courage become what is necessary for the community to witness God's presence in this world.
Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the needs of others and fill my heart with humility and courage so that I may truly see the needs of those around me and truly provide a witness of your love for them. Amen.
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