Involved with, but not influenced by, the world

I Corinthians 9:19-22 (NLT)

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.  When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

James 1:27 teaches a Biblical principle called “involvement and separation”.  We are to visit orphans and widows of the world (help and care for the less fortunate) while at the same time “keeping yourself unstained by the world”.  The passage above describes how Paul applied the “involvement and separation” principle.  I heard my pastor, Scott Luck, use this passage to describe how he applied this principle in his preaching to relate to those who attend services. 

Paul made himself a servant of all people for the main purpose of bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Warren Wiersbe described Paul like this: “He did not follow the slogan, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’.  That would be compromise rooted in fear.  Paul’s attitude was based on love, not fear.  He was not lowering his standards; rather he was laying aside his personal privileges.  It was not hypocrisy, but sympathy.  He tried to understand those who needed Christ and enter into their experiences.”[1] 

Paul describes in this passage that he always was aware of whom his audience was in order to find common ground with which to relate to them to truth of Christ.  Pastor Luck empathized his use of secular events/circumstances (the “bucket list”, games of life, the economy, jobs, the Colts, etc.) to teach and apply spiritual truths.  As the end of verse 22 states, he is trying to find common ground with everyone, doing what he can to bring the gospel and teachings of Christ to as many as he can.  Not all will respond, just like Paul stated that he did what he could to save some. 

It is a tricky endeavor to balance involvement with people, including unbelievers—the lost—while at the same time staying true to God’s Word and not allowing worldly values to take over.  Sometimes, pastors and church leaders cross the line and relate to worldly values too much.  Yet ignoring the world will lessen the effectiveness of Christians to reach the lost. 

How are you involved in the world without allowing to world to influence you?

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[1] Wiersbe, Warren W., Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament, Chariot Victor Publishing, Colorado Springs, CO, 1992, p. 445.