VIP Disc. Leaders (1/6) -ENGAGING The Culture: “All Things To All”

We have decided as pastors and small group discipleship leaders of Victory Ortigas to come together for a night of Vision, Instruction, and Prayer (VIP), once every two months for the year of 2008. We will continue with our weekly leadership group.  Once a month we will have either our VIP or interest-based small group leaders fellowship with different pastors and ‘lay’ leaders.

I will endeavor to write a teaser blog every time we do a VIP.

I believe this is the text that will pave the way for the year 2008 for us:

1Corinthians 9:19-23
“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make 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 men 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.”

I can not think of any more passage of Scriptures that epitomizes the idea of engaging the surrounding culture than this one. A very challenging text.

There are Christians who would argue that they “don’t care what people say,” they “care more of what God would say.” This is a noble thing to declare. I can’t argue with it. As long as it deals with moral convictions. In fact, every follower of Christ should have this solemn oath.

But, when it comes to relating and reaching out to the people within our culture, this is a major blunder.

The apostle of all the apostles, Apostle Paul, gave us a very insightful principle on missions: “All things to all.” For what purpose? The word, “to win” was mentioned five times in this passage to tell us something: “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” The transformation of lives.

So, my challenge to all of us reading this blog entry: “Let’s not be enslaved by our own personal preferences; let’s endeavor to be ALL THINGS TO ALL!”

The world is at a lost. Without hope. All under the rain of wrath. Would you want to offer someone near you to “stand under your umbrella”?

Be a friend. Start the year with being “all things to all.”

Stay engaged.