22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
Paul talks about his flexibility in order to reach people for Christ. He is free to be flexible. One of the difficult skills in ministry is the ability to meet people where they are. It can be hard when they are in a place that is uncomfortable for us. That could be at the homeless shelter or the country club. It might be a racial issue or a cultural issue. It might be their sin makes us uncomfortable. We all are uncomfortable at times in different situations and around different people. The question is, do we let our discomfort prevent God from using us? Are we so uncomfortable that we get frozen, unable to see the other as Jesus sees them? Does our judgment cloud our vision? Paul figured out how to do that. I think it had to do with his realization of his own unworthiness and the grace of Jesus. Paul came to understand that all his accomplishments got in the way of God’s grace. He had been so filled with pride that he almost missed God’s appearance in history. He was party to the execution of some of the early believers. Paul realized the enormity of his sin, and that realization helped him move beyond himself toward the world. He could get on other people’s level in order to reach them. He could get ‘down’ to their level because he knew he was at the bottom, “the worst of all sinners.” We all need to come face to face with our sin, so that we can fully embrace His grace. If we hold on to our righteousness we can never accept His Righteousness. And since our righteousness is filthy rags anyway, it makes sense to let it go. Paul’s goal, and I hope ours, was to be a willing vessel for God to use to reach anyone He wanted to reach. Swallow your pride and let the Lord use you.
The Arnold Journey 