Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 9:22‐10:39, 1 Corinthians 9:19‐10:13, Psalm 34:1‐10, Proverbs 21:13

1 Corinthians 9:22b – I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

Observations:

• Context: Paul is discussing eating food that has been sacrificed to idols.  He explains that he is free from the law, but has made himself “a servant to all,” that he might win more of them.  To the Jews, he became “as a Jew, in order to win Jews.”  To those outside of the law, he became “as one outside the law… that I might win those outside of the law.”
• I have become
  • All things
    • To all people
      • That by all means
        • I might save some.

Paul’s moral reputation, his witness, was very important to him.  He was intentional to abide by the standards of the different groups he was ministering to (See also Romans 14).  However, we also know he did not let Christian leaders add a moral step to the gospel message.  In Galatians chapter 2 Paul opposes Peter to his face because he is not explaining and living in such a way that clearly shows the people he is around that faith in Christ does not need to be accompanied by circumcision. 

Apply: Today I plan to have a conversation with a group of Christian friends about moral standards for Christians.  I pray that we can understand and live out Paul’s heart.

What are some contemporary examples of “food sacrificed to idols” in our culture?