My lifegroup is reading the “One Year Bible”, in addition to our regular study. It divides the Bible into easy-to-read chunks, so that you can finish the whole Bible in just one calendar year. Each “day” has verses from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalm, and Proverbs.
The reading for Saturday, August 15th, was interesting and motivated me to read all of I Corinthians 9. I understand that one of the reasons for Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth was to instruct and restore the church in its areas of weakness.
The reading included I Corinthians 9:19-23, which I include here: “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.”
My question is .... as long as Christ’s teachings are followed, does the end justify the means? Comments are welcomed.
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1 comment:
Hey Jim, sorry to hear about both you and your brother. Prayers for both of you.
As to your question on I Corinthians 9, I believe that Paul was saying that as long as he follows Christ's law, all things are possible. Your question really isn't about the means justifying the ends as much as it is one of what does it mean to become all things to all men?
You don't have to become a dope addict in order to minister to the addict, yet you can empathize with them, cry with them, take them by the hand and lead them to a road of recovery, all with out being preachy or condemning.
The means never justiy the end, becuase you can't get a righteous response from an evil imput. James says that salt and fresh water can't come from the same well. neither can good come from bad. You can't kill an abortion doctor in order to prevent more abortions. I hope I've made sense and this helps you out. May God Bless both you and your brother on your roads to recovery!
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