TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER
The apostle Paul once wrote that he had become all things to all people so that he might by every possible means save some. This is something today that gets used to justify church strategies aimed at appealing to the surrounding culture. But is this what Paul meant?
Properly understood, I don’t think Paul was describing compromise. He didn’t advocate for adopting sinful behaviour in order to identify with those who practice it. Wouldn’t this run counter to everything in his character and calling? Instead, Paul was describing a willingness to remove any unnecessary offence from his approach. He adjusted his sensitivity depending on whether he addressed Jews, Gentiles, or weaker believers. He even abstained from meat entirely if eating it caused a fellow believer to stumble.
I don’t see that Paul’s goal was to become like the people he was reaching. He wanted to avoid needlessly offending them while still proclaiming the truth.
Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to sin.
1 Corinthians 8:13
