All Things to All People

The Bible tells us, “Do not be shaped by this world.” It also tells us to “become all things to all people.” At first glance these instructions may seem contradictory, but they can actually complement each other. God does not want us to conform to ungodly attitudes, no matter how prevalent they may be, but He does want us to be attuned to society in ways that allow us to better show His love to others, that we might bring them closer to Him.

The apostle Paul was a good example of this kind of flexibility as he related to and reached a great variety of people. When addressing a predominantly Jewish audience in Antioch, for example, he reminded them of the history of Israel from the time of Moses to the time of David, and then he showed how Jesus had fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. But when Paul spoke to the Areopagus council in Athens, sophisticated Greeks who would not have been interested in hearing a history of the Jewish people, he began by referring to an altar he had seen in the city, which bore the inscription “To an Unknown God.” Then he quoted Greek poets to show that the attributes of this god—creation, providence, and judgment—were fulfilled in Jesus.

Francis Xavier (1506–1552) also lived the “all things to all men” principle. In order to relate to the Indian people who considered humility a virtue, he wore shabby attire and traveled on foot. When he later visited Japan, however, he found that humility was not considered a virtue and that poverty was despised. So Xavier dressed in fine clothing, brought expensive gifts to the emperor, and traveled at all times with an impressive entourage. He did whatever it took to present Jesus in the best possible light to the people he wanted to reach.

Jesus Himself “became all things to all people” when He left the grand halls of heaven and the intimate fellowship that He shared with His heavenly Father to come to earth in human form. He did this so that He could better relate to us, better understand our problems and weaknesses, and better intercede for us before the throne of God. Jesus wants us to follow His example. He wants us to manifest our love for others by reaching people on their level.

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Philippians 2:5-7 KJV – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV – To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

Hebrews 2:17 NIV – For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.