19 For though I be free from all
men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the
more. 20 And unto the
Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are
under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under
the law; 21 To them that are
without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under
the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To
the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all
things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And
this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with
you. –I Corinthians 9:19-23 (KJV)
The other day I was visiting an elderly couple
from our church, one of whom has become a shut-in due to illness.
When I arrived, another family member was there visiting. The
man who lives there introduced me as their pastor, but he also paid
me a high compliment. He said, “This is Brother Dan, he’s
just a friendly hillbilly like us.” I laughed and said that
I indeed came from a long line of fine hillbillies from eastern Kentucky.
I later reflected on this and chuckled at the thought of being described
in such a fashion. To say that I am a hillbilly, and to anyone
from the mountains or the country this was given as a compliment and
not a slight, is not truly accurate. The description implies a
man of the country or the mountains, a man of the soil, and a man familiar
with farm life. Truth be told, I am about as far removed from
such a portrayal as an Antarctic penguin is from Miami Beach.
I grew up in the suburbs of Dayton, Ohio,
a fairly large city. From there I lived in Cincinnati, and then
in Louisville, Kentucky before finally settling in southwest Virginia.
I know precious little about farm life except that I enjoy visiting
them. I wouldn’t know what to do with livestock other than get
out of the way lest I be injured. I believe what my friend was
implying was that he could relate to me. This is vital in our
witness for Christ. This relating, if I may call it that, means
we are able to reach out to a broad range of people with the gospel
of Christ. It does not mean for a moment that we become sinners
in order to reach sinners, but we are willing to see from another’s
point of view as we share with them the message of salvation in Jesus
Christ.
Paul the Apostle reached out to Jews, gentiles,
Romans, slaves, kings, and anyone else with whom he could share the
gospel. He sought to identify with people on a personal level.
There will be people I may have trouble reaching, but you may be able
to reach. I think of the brother in Christ who used to ride with
biker gangs, but now as a believer he shares Christ with them.
I recall the man I met who spent many years in prison, and once paroled
began a prison ministry to reach those behind bars with the gospel.
This is what the Bible means about becoming “all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some.”
Whoever you are, you have been uniquely gifted to
reach people for Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid to shine His light
to those around you who need the hope Christ offers. You are I
are vital to the sharing of the gospel. Be of good cheer, as the
Bible says, and walk forward in divine purpose today.
God bless you.
