You ask Elim experts the questions. This month, it’s Senior Pastor of New Springs Church, Loughborough, Phil Weaver.
What does it mean to become all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9:22)?
A significant aspect of Paul’s calling was to preach to the non-Jewish people, the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8), and that required him to change his approach. He had one aim: to win as many to Christ as possible using all means at his disposal. Had Paul been alive today, he would have used every possible way to share the gospel ─ preaching, debate, writing and publications, the media, TV, radio, the internet, social apps, etc.
However, this isn’t to say he would dilute the message or compromise his godly integrity and moral standards in any way. He knew all too well that being in the world was very, very different indeed from acting, living and becoming like the world – see Romans 12:2, John 17:14-16.
However, if relevant and pertinent information could give him credibility with a specific audience, he did what he could to find common ground with them. He was sensitive to the various cultures. For example, he knew how to behave in a Hebrew household, but he could dispense with cultural Jewish customs and traditions if he was being entertained in a Greek household.
Paul’s heart was to be inoffensive in every way except in the matter of the cross. This too should be our heart today. Paul knew that he needed to get people on side before he had any chance of winning them for Jesus. He knew he needed to meet people where they were. This is why he insightfully talks about winning others ‘by all means’ and about ‘becoming all things to all men’.
Is the modern institutional church system the church of the Bible?
The Bible is God’s inspired Word to us, the believer’s final authority in all belief and behaviour. It would seem we are living in a time when God is shaking the heavens and the earth. He is also shaking the institutional church, which normally refers to organised groups of professing Christians who meet in designated buildings and follow prescribed schedules for worship and teaching.
If those groups move away from believing and preaching the Word of God, or shrink back from declaring its full counsel, then they are on very shaky ground indeed. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus talked about the importance of God’s Word as the foundation. And what’s true for the individual is also true for the church.
As individual believers, we need to be sure we are attending a church that believes the Bible is the only rule for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21), where there is a commitment to high-quality doctrinal Bible teaching and, furthermore, where they practise what they preach.
How important is an attitude of gratitude?
The majority of God’s people, quite rightly, want to know what the will of God is. When it comes to one aspect of God’s will, the Scripture is clear, it says “…in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concern- ing you,” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Possessing an attitude of gratitude means that one chooses to express appreciation for the big and small things in life. It’s not a new concept; God always intended us to have such a grateful attitude because it enables us to remember God’s goodness and endure, no matter what our circumstances may be.
Although the Bible does not specifically mention the phrase ‘attitude of gratitude’, this idea definitely has biblical roots. For instance, Colossians 2:6-7 says, “So then… continue to live your lives in him… strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Abraham gave thanks to God. Moses gave thanks to God. Ruth and Naomi gave thanks to God. David gave thanks to God. Jesus himself, along with the Apostle Paul, all gave thanks.
Real thankfulness is not dependent on what’s going on in our lives or how much we have. Instead, thankfulness is a response to the goodness of God, which will never cease.
