Becoming All Things to All Men

January 31, 2007

Lar,

I like this sticking to one topic thing.  A little on-line conversation is a good thing.  It helps me think through a topic a bit more than just jumping here and there.  I hope I am not alone and trust this is the case.   I suppose this is something of what we were envisioning from the beginning.  Let’s do it more.

Anyhow….back to the actual discussion at hand.  First, I’m not sure what you mean by saying that I had (have) the tendency to speak as if I had it all figured out (ha…ha!).  You are right brother.  Whatever we see clearly in others, we can usually know for certain that we can find it within.  This is no exception for sure.  I would also add that whatever we are presently fighting against within ourselves (for we usually have a few specific battles going on at any given time–provided we are actually fighting!), we are must more prone to see in others.  The fact that I am fighting for a more humble, gracious spirit makes me more and more prone to see it (possibly) lacking in others.  I want to know what it looks like brother.  So be one who shows me and I will strive for the same.

Next, a few thoughts regarding cultural engagement that served as part of our dinner conversation last night.  Abigail wasn’t too into it, but Erin was, so I’ll share.  We were talking about Paul’s verses in 1 Corinthians 9 where he speaks of becoming all things to all men.  You know them, but if you want to quote them, that’s probably a good idea.  I’ll just keep flowing here with the fast typing.  Anyhow, we were forced to ask ourselves a few questions like:  what does it mean to engage the culture?  And how can we ‘engage’ without compromise?  And how can we be like Paul today by becoming all things to all men without stumbling ourselves?  Here are a few thoughts.

First, we need to recognize that when it comes to any given culture, everything we see and encounter fits into one of three categories.  Either it is 1) ‘wrong’ and must be rejected  2) ‘right’ and it must be embraced  or  3)  ‘neutral’ and it must be discerned.   I got this from somewhere (probably from the conference Driscoll hosted actually).  I’m thinking it was Ed Stetzer, but I can’t remember.  Either way, I think it is right on.

Whether it be entertainment on television or simply the values we find our culture immersed in, or political decisions or styles of dress or whatever (and there is much more of course), we are desperate to figure out which one of these three categories they fit in.  Is it wrong, right, or neutral?  If it is (1) wrong, our action is simple:  reject it.  Get rid of it.  It has no place in our living for Christ and witnessing to His glory.  If it is (2) right, then be free to embrace it as a good thing and realize that it is probably a product of Christian influence (though not necessarily).  Use it with wisdom.  Don’t let it become a snare, but be fixed on Christ and make Him known.

Those are quite simple, but for the third–if it is neutral–I don’t think the action is so plain.  It requires some definite discernment.  And it is here that–in my humble opinion (and I hope it is humble!)–that we can find help in discerning the kind of things that we need to embrace to become all things to all men.  So, if whatever it is in culture or society that we are considering, is, in our opinion, neutral, I think we need to ask ourselves two questions.  Our answers will determine what we will or will not do with whatever it is we are wrestling with.

1)  How will embracing this help me run my race so as to win? (1 Corinthians 9:24-26).  And…

2)  How will embracing this help or hinder my bearing witness to the worthy and beauty and Lordship of Jesus Christ?

The two questions most definitely go hand in hand, primarily because if we truly run our race to win, we do what is best for our own witness to the worth and beauty and Lordship of Jesus and thus, the good of others.  But I would warn against our stopping there.  For too often I believe we can make our pursuit of victory in the Christian life a selfish matter.  It is possible, mind you, to become too caught up in your own sanctification.  Hear me on this one.  It’s not possible to become too caught up in God, however, it is possible to become too caught up in yourself even if in a religious or spiritual way.

And that is exactly why I think the second question is so important.  For it is only when we focus on the reign and rule of Jesus Christ in the hearts and minds of everyone in the world that we can truly grow in sanctification.  We grow in holiness not so much by focusing on our own holiness but by focusing on the Lord and on making Him known to others.

Naturally, this requires a certain degree of focus on others that will sometimes take us out of our little ‘Christian’ comfort zones in order to become all things to all men.  Let me try a few examples:  First, take something neutral like a movie (of course, not all movies are ‘neutral’ but that is another matter), say, ‘The DaVinci Code.”  Let me ask myself:  Is this helping me run my race to win?  My initial answer would probably be ‘no.’  I could think of numerous other activities that would stir my soul a great deal more and give me a greater fire for Christ.  But then I need to ask myself the question:  Would viewing this movie enable me to bear more faithful and fruitful witness to the worth and beauty of Jesus?  The answer: maybe.  It could be yes or no.  And the reality is, we might come to different answers–and that is entirely ok.  Such is the nature of Christian freedom.

Now, take one more example:  Clothing.  Ok, so some might say this isn’t neutral, but let’s just point out that clothing is neutral.  Styles might not be, but clothing itself is.  Anyhow, ask yourself after thinking of a specific style of dress (and this applies to both men and women, but quite possibly to women more):  Will this help me run my race so as to win?  Answer:  yes or no or neither (and for most of what I see for women in the stores, especially young women, I will answer for you:  No!).  If  you are then unsure though, ask yourself:  Will this specific style help me bear more faithful witness to Christ?  This should make things a little clearer.  Particularly for teenagers who who might think they need to dress like their friends to reach them, consider the possibility that you might reach them best by showing you aren’t enslaved to the fashions of this world, that is, by not dressing like them.  However, for those who think we should all go back to the 1880’s and dress like the people then, you might be a bit off.  Old styles aren’t any better than the new (provided they fit into the neutral category of course).  To a certain degree, dressing like the norm can be good for faithful witness to the gospel.

Again, this is a tough matter and one that is not so clear cut.  But this is exactly the reason why it calls for humility of heart.  We don’t have all the answers.  And we might end up differing with someone we love and respect.  What shall we do?  Keep on loving and respecting them of course!  And keep on doing all you can to run your race so as to win and to help others do the same.

On and on I could go in this steady stream of consciousness, but that is enough (or yes, maybe too much!) for now.  Give me your thoughts brother.  I look forward to them.

Seeking to run my race so as to win and help others do the same,

Joe

Posted by Joe | Filed Under Random Musings 

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