“19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NKJV)
In consideration of eternity, God will generously reward those who have the heart of a servant and, as a byproduct, often live for the well-being of others (Mark 9:35). Our key text in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 reveals to us some strategic insight that would help us make this a reality. Instead of constantly figuring out how situations can play out to our advantage, we should consider how we can most effectively bless others. The text also reminds us how adaptable a servant of God can be, as long as they do not compromise their integrity. It is not typically something we gravitate to naturally, but rather, something we continuously rely on the Holy Spirit to facilitate. However, as with an exercise routine, an extended period of practice evangelizing the lost and discipling existing believers may inspire us to pursue it more diligently and frequently. In turn, this will undoubtedly win souls to Jesus Christ and yield eternal dividends in the process (Proverbs 11:30). God’s Word does not return void, whether in sharing it with others or applying it to our lives (Isaiah 55:11).
One critical thing to take hold of in our adaptability to others is to ensure we do not lose sight of our Biblical values. For instance, if you were to step out and evangelize in the public square for a long period without nourishing yourself mentally and spiritually with the Word of God, it is only a matter of time before you have a head-on collision with compromise. God designed us for fellowship with other believers for many reasons. One of the key reasons is that we are not invincible and highly susceptible to the world’s influence if we neglect the spiritual sustenance we all need. If unchecked, our integrity and core values will slowly erode (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Naturally, this calls for a balance of stepping out of our comfort zone to reach out to the lost while making sure we consistently go back to our Churches, fellowship, and Bible study for refreshment. Concerning discipling, mentoring, and setting an example for other Christians, we must also ensure that we are in a position to contribute. Finally, to serve effectively, we must rely on God to keep us in a healthy place in our walk to help others and avoid over-extending ourselves. It is reasonable to learn to say “no” when we know we need time or space to say “yes” to God-ordained opportunities. There is a reason why the second greatest commandment encourages us to “love our neighbors as ourselves” and not “love our neighbors more than ourselves.”
Once you are in a good place and your immediate loved ones are taken care of, you can step out to answer God’s call for your beloved neighbors. You and I would not be as effective for God’s Kingdom if we reach our tipping point for burnout. You will not be doing anyone any favors by trying to carry all the world’s burdens on your shoulders alone. Remember, God has called us to Christ-likeness in our sanctification journey, not to function as Jesus Christ. We are more than capable of making mistakes and letting each other down. Surrender your cares and anxieties to God (1 Peter 5:7). He will make it clear when it is your turn to step in and make the contributions He has placed in your heart to share with His people and the world at large.
In serving others, we should also be cautious not to get addicted to their approval. When we over-emphasize the well-being of others to our detriment, we can impose unnecessary hurdles upon ourselves. Do not let the applause or criticism of others carry more weight than it ought to. Indeed, we can all agree that certain loved ones in our lives can genuinely encourage or deter us immensely because of our relationship with them. However, ideally, this circle of trusted family and select friends must have merited that trust over a significant time. Otherwise, we risk allowing too many people undue influence on us. In short, nobody should be able to make or break us outside of God Himself ultimately.
If we are honest with ourselves, we can probably remember at least a couple of instances where we put our foot in our mouths as we perhaps unintentionally discouraged, angered, or offended someone we love. Therefore, while there is a time and place to offer constructive criticism, we must be careful with the delivery and cautious about providing it with truth in love (Ephesians 4:14-15). As such, seeking this balance and being particularly selective with offering unsolicited opinions is crucial to avoid unwarranted conflict.
Surely we must rely on God and give ourselves and others the grace needed to align ourselves with His will. May God bless us with the discernment and wisdom to strike the proper balance between adaptability and integrity, Kingdom building with acquisition of Biblical sustenance, and exercising caution in delivering and reacting to constructive criticism.
