| October 3, 1999 |
Vol. II, No. 23
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“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14).
“I have become all things to all men” (1 Cor. 9:22).
How can these two verses be harmonized? The first emphasizes that Christians must have nothing to do with evil practices of the world. However, the second reminds us that in all matters that do not involve participation in sin, Christians must seek to avoid unnecessary clashes with prevailing customs.
Obeying both divine principles demands that one be balanced. While avoiding sinful conduct, it is essential to refrain from erecting needless barriers between ourselves and those in the world that we want to bring to the truth.
PAUL’S EXAMPLE. (1 Cor. 9:19-23). While among Gentiles, Paul could have dressed and talked as a Jew, thus accentuating the differences between his culture of birth and the prevailing Greek one. While in Jerusalem, he could have blatantly violated Jewish customs to exhibit his liberty for all to see. But such actions would have needlessly distanced himself from those he wanted to reach with the gospel. Therefore he adapted himself to the different cultures. He became a Jew to the Jews and a Gentile to the Gentiles. In doing so, he violated no divine laws while opening doors for the proclamation of the gospel.
APPLICATION TO FOREIGN EVANGELISM. At times, it seems that American Christians think that the gospel is an American message supported by American money that produces Americanized Christians who always submit to American suggestions and ideas. Such attitudes contrast directly with Paul’s efforts to become all things to all men. The word “evangelize” is not synonymous with “Americanize.” Great quantities of stateside money and ideas often impede foreign evangelism rather than help it by establishing an American imprint on the gospel instead of allowing it to be “all things to all men.”
Christians from the United States who have been most effective in establishing independent churches of God in foreign countries have taken it easy with the distribution of money and ideas from the States. Though they are not ashamed of their nationality (which is obvious to all), they have been careful to emphasize the independence that the Bible teaches and that the local churches that are established should not learn to depend on others for buildings, support of preachers and resources for the work in general.
Being “all things to all men” in foreign evangelism also requires doing all that is possible to live like the people in the country where one is working. Though it is often impossible to live exactly like the masses, especially in underdeveloped countries, it is sometimes necessary to do without common appliances, automobiles and conveniences. Sometimes it requires eating unpalatable foods and getting sick or biting one’s tongue upon hearing some ridiculous nationalistic statement. I thank God for the few brethren who are willing to live overseas and daily make hundreds of sacrifices that are necessary to be “all things to all men” that might be too difficult for me. They are willing to becomes slaves to all that they might win the more, 1 Cor. 9:19. May there be hundreds and even thousands more like them in the future.
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS. “It is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:8). Paul’s inspired words imply that it will not always be possible to live peaceably with all. The Christian’s different outlook must inevitably clash with the world’s. And yet, every effort must be made to “get along.” Therefore, the Christian cannot be reclusive. Though the isolated lifestyle of the Hutterites might seem attractive in the midst of such an evil society, such is not an option to those who want to follow this divine teaching. A Christian must try to “live... with” all men, not disassociate himself from all. He must strive to gain others’ confidence and, when possible, share their interests. To do so, it is often helpful to be conversant with others about current affairs, sports, or the economy. Paul’s quotations from Greek and Cretan poets reflects a desire to have broad interests to help in communicating with those of the world to win them. Such is a part of living peaceably with others in the ever-present hope of bringing them to the gospel. Those who go out of their way to be insulated Christian eccentrics who quarantine themselves from all associations with non-Christians and their ideas, will bring few to the truth.
CONCLUSION. The Christian’s desire to hate sin while maintaining honorable relations with those of the world can be summarized in verses like the following: “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).
--Gardner Hall via Christianity Magazine
In Matt. 12:14-21, Jesus pointed out that one reason He sometimes discouraged the recipients of His miracles from spreading His fame abroad was to fulfill Isaiah 42:1-4. Isaiah had written of Him more than 700 years before His birth: “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
Let us reflect for a moment on the marvelous unity of the book we call the Bible. Note that Isaiah foretold the nature of Christ’s ministry over 700 years before it ever began. The same prophet had foretold Christ’s virgin birth in Isa. 7:14, and His sacrificial death in Isaiah, chapter 53. He foretold the restoration of a righteous remnant among the Israelites, and the welcoming of the Gentiles into the fold of God. All this and more, over 700 years before it happened!
Other of the inspired prophets also foretold much about the life, work, and death of Jesus. Isaiah, David, and perhaps others, even foresaw His resurrection from the dead. See Isaiah 53:11-12; Psalm 16:8-11; Acts 2:25-32. In fact, Simon Peter tells us in Acts 3:24 that “all the prophets from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days” -- that is, the days and deeds of Jesus.
One important truth Isaiah foretold in Isa. 42:3, fulfilled in Matt. 12:20, is clothed in figurative language. Isaiah was not telling what Jesus would or would not do with literal botanical plants. As scholar Albert Barnes points out, “The reed is an emblem of feebleness, as well as change, Matt. 11:7. A bruised, broken reed is an emblem of the poor and oppressed... He would not oppress the feeble and poor as victorious warriors and conquerors did... Smoking flax... refers to the wick of a lamp when the oil is exhausted -- the dying, flickering flame and smoke that hang over it. It is an emblem also, of feebleness and infirmity. He would not further oppress it and extinguish it. He would not be proud and overbearing and trampling down the poor... He would not treat them harshly or unkindly, but will cherish the feeble flame, minister the oil of grace, and kindle it into a blaze.”
--CRJ