Today’s readings: 1 Corinthians 9-11; Psalm 137
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
A seminary classmate served as a missionary in The Philippines. When he arrived, he took time to get to know the people of the village where he lived. He entered into their lives, got to know their families, and sat with the village elders in humble silence. When they spoke, he listened. When they asked him a question, he answered respectfully.
Soon he noticed that the elders who had achieved a higher status of authority all wore beards. When he realized this, he shaved off his own beard. He did not want to presume a place of respect and honor he had not earned. He wanted to make an eternal difference in their lives.
My friend wanted to share the Gospel with them, but he knew that building relationships and earning their trust mattered. And one evening, something remarkable happened.
As the men sat together discussing Jesus and the Gospel, the village chief said, “I see that you no longer have a beard.”
My friend replied, “Yes. I noticed that only the men who were highly respected wore beards, and I didn’t want to presume that I had earned that respect.”
“You would look good in a beard,” said the chief.
What a remarkable expression of acceptance! My friend’s willingness to set aside something as simple as a beard had helped open the door for sharing the Gospel.
God had used my friend’s desire to “become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). He did it for the sake of the Gospel.
Our freedom in Christ is never meant to be a license to do whatever we wish. We best use that freedom – whether in matters of worship styles, dress, dietary practices, or political preferences – not simply to assert our rights, but to remove unnecessary barriers that might keep someone from hearing about Jesus and his grace, mercy, and love.
That’s true whether we would look good in a beard or not!
Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.
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