“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” — 1 Corinthians 9:19–23

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“All Things to All People”
By Jennifer Kane

To serve the call of Christ, I yield,
Becoming all things, unafraid to bend,
For His love crosses all boundaries, revealed
In every face, each stranger, a friend.

In every culture, hue, and tongue,
God’s love spans ages, far and wide.
With open arms and praises sung,
In Him, our differences abide.

I meet each heart on sacred ground,
Where customs speak and voices rise.
In learning, I am newly found—
A vessel shaped for His surprise.

Where weakness dwells, I join in grace,
Embracing those whose burdens weigh.
Through empathy, I find my place,
In humbleness, Christ leads the way.

This path demands I lay down pride,
And trade my comforts for His call.
Yet joy abounds, deepened, amplified,
In sharing Christ, I find my all.

Oh, blessed work to share the news,
Where souls unite, a family formed.
In bonds of faith, we can’t refuse,
A love by sacred fire warmed.

With tender heart, I strive to be
In step with sorrows, dreams, and fears,
For empathy becomes the key
To join in laughter, dry the tears.

In giving up, I gain much more—
A harvest greater than my own.
For Christ, who walked through Heaven’s door,
Rewards each seed of love I’ve sown.

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Paul’s dedication to spreading the gospel shines in his words to the Corinthians. He relinquished personal comforts and even his rights so that others might come to know Jesus. Paul’s ministry was marked by adaptability—not compromise of God’s truth, but a willingness to meet people where they were. When he was with the Jews, he respected their customs; with Gentiles, he adapted to their culture without straying from Christ’s teachings.

This adaptability wasn’t a strategy to fit in; it was an act of sacrificial love. Paul was willing to “become all things to all people” so that he could reach them effectively for Christ. His approach models how we, too, can build relationships across diverse backgrounds and perspectives to share the gospel.

In order to apply Paul’s approach of being “all things to all people” today, we must start by listening first. Listening is often the most effective way to show love and respect. When we truly listen, we see people as individuals and value their unique stories. This makes them more open to hearing the message of Jesus.

We must be kind. Our words and actions should reflect Christ’s love. Even when discussions become heated or we face hostility, kindness can open doors that defensiveness might close. James 1:19–20 reminds us to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

We should understand culture without compromising the gospel. Paul knew that sharing the gospel sometimes meant understanding cultural nuances. Like him, we can learn about people’s backgrounds and perspectives to connect on common ground, as long as we stay rooted in God’s truth.

We must acknowledge and confront prejudice. Recognize and surrender any biases we may hold. Paul had to release his own prejudices as a former Pharisee to embrace his mission to the Gentiles. We can pray for humility to lay aside judgmental attitudes and instead show Christ’s love to everyone.

The gospel is a challenging message—it’s offensive to human pride and contradicts the sin nature. But as Christians, our goal is to ensure that it’s only the cross that offends, not our attitudes or behaviors. Our example in the world should be a reflection of Christ’s compassion, as we humbly give up our “rights” and meet people where they are for the sake of the gospel.

Consider someone in your life who might need a gentle, understanding approach to hearing the gospel. Pray for the opportunity to connect with them in a meaningful way, and be willing to listen to their story. Remember that Christ has called us to love others as He does, with grace and compassion.

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Certainly. Here’s an expanded version of the prayer to conclude the devotional:

Lord, help me to become all things to all people for Your glory. Give me the courage to let go of my comforts and preferences so that I can reach others with Your love. May I listen with compassion, act with kindness, and stand firm in Your truth. Teach me to see people as You see them and to meet them where they are, just as You met me.

Grant me the wisdom to understand without judgment, and to speak with words that lift others up and point them toward Your heart. When I am with those who feel lost or rejected, may I offer Your hope; when with those burdened by shame or guilt, let me bring them to Your grace. Guide me to build bridges across divides, and to break down walls of prejudice and pride within me.

Help me surrender my fears, my pride, and my desire for comfort. Instead, let Your Spirit fill me with courage, humility, and love that knows no bounds. Give me the strength to embrace each person I encounter as a child of God, with their own struggles, dreams, and value. May I bear Your light in every situation, making space for Your Spirit to move in the lives of those around me.

Lord, use me as a vessel of Your mercy and truth, and make my heart tender to the needs of those I seek to reach. Let my life be a living example of Your love and grace, drawing others not to myself but to You. For Your glory and the sake of Your gospel, Lord, I give my life into Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

November 2 2024