When the Lord Christ Jesus called Paul into his ministry, he charged him in Acts 9: 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. From inception, Paul knew he had been called into the same ministry of suffering of Christ Jesus. Jesus had said in Matthew 6: 37; Luke 10: 2 the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Paul’s challenge was therefore to recruit labourers for the Lord’s vineyard even if it involved suffering.
Suffering means sacrificing to do Christ Jesus’ will irrespective of the cost. Jesus said in Matthew 16: 24 if any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Paul applied himself to this task as his cross. He wrote in Romans 14: 8 if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. Death was no more a threat to Paul’s commitment to Christ Jesus for souls. What was important to him was his sacrifice for Jesus.
What does “be all things” mean?
God has given each of us the ability to invite people to work in his vineyard. It starts with respect, humility and love for everyone. Paul wrote in Romans 12: 3-5 for by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.
Paul continued from Romans 12: 6-12 we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
Paul continued in Romans 12: 13-18 saying, distributing to the needs of the saints; extending hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Finally, Paul wrote in Romans 12: 19-21 beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them soothing to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This was how Paul was relevant to all people and so he recommended the same to us to emulate.
How was Paul all things to all people?
Speaking of himself, he wrote in 1Corinthians 9: 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. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. Paul did not advocate for evil when he wrote that ‘I have become all things to all people”. Paul’s approach was to save people using suffering through sacrifice as Christ Jesus did, and not by the means of evil.
What glorifies God is righteousness, not evil. 1John 3: 8 says everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. Therefore, Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 10: 31-33… whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God… I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved. Our charge is through sacrifice and suffering to help all people to realize God’s plan. Ephesians 3: 9 says God’s grace is to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things (paraphrased).
Are we all things in righteousness to all people through sacrifice and suffering because of Christ Jesus?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, help us to become all things for all people. Help us not to count the cost because of our blessed Lord Christ Jesus so we may share in his glory in eternity. Help us to bring those lost into your fold so that heaven may rejoice. Humble us in your service in your holy name we pray, Amen!!
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