1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Paul continues his argument (begun in 8:1) that believers should not unnecessarily offend the consciences of other believers. But now he goes a step further: we should also accommodate ourselves to those who are not yet believers.
In verses 19-23 Paul is arguing for what today we might call “contextualizing the gospel.” In order to communicate God’s good news effectively to others, we must enter into their world, their culture. Without compromising his own beliefs or behavior, Paul makes himself Jewish (which he is) when he’s with Jews, and he makes himself like a Gentile when he’s with Gentiles. This doesn’t result in a loss of personal integrity, or in undermining the gospel, because at the heart of his understanding of the gospel is the overcoming of barriers and differences.
I wonder how well we contextualize the gospel today. In some areas we have accommodated the gospel too much to American culture–for instance, blending the worship of God with American patriotism, and making the gospel into an individualistic relationship with Jesus rather than a communal relationship of making wholeness and reconciliation through the Body of Christ. In other areas we have not contextualized the gospel enough–neglecting poor neighborhoods and marginalized people.
How many people in our congregations have the gift of being able to move effortlessly in many different circles–with the white collar and the blue collar, with liberals and conservatives, and with different ethnicities and races? These are the people we must emulate. These are the people who are truly living out the gospel.
Paul then uses athletic metaphors to make the point that living out the implications of the gospel–overcoming barriers and achieving reconciliation–is hard work that requires discipline and persistence. I used to think there was a tension between the free gift of salvation through grace, and the need for spiritual discipline. But there is no actual tension. God’s love is free and constant, and we become disciples through joy, humbleness, and gratitude. But carrying out God’s work requires that we constantly stay focused on trusting in God and in God’s love. That usually requires active attention. That means being a person of prayer and meditation–aware of God’s presence and constantly giving oneself to God. That means studying scripture and the products of thoughtful believers; that means worshiping with others; that means practicing regular charity and self-sacrifice.
We do this because we want to; because we are inspired; because we have been so loved and forgiven. Being “saved” is an ongoing process and continual growth. We must be careful not to become lazy and distracted by lesser concerns.
We are not as mature as we think we are; we are not in as good of shape as our distorted mirror leads us to believe. Overall, I think American Christianity is flabby and immature. We have no lack of information. We have no lack of resources. We lack something else. It’s not something we can buy. It’s not a book or a high-powered church program. It’s something we don’t want.
We need to wash feet.
