Paul said he became all things to all men that he might win some.
Making friends is one of the easiest things to do in life. In fact it is so easy most people find they can make friends pretty simply. But at what cost and what caliber of friend is being made? I can walk out my door and make a new friend today just by liking what another person likes. I can go to a political rally and as long as I agree with the values stated I can be friends with everyone there. But at what cost is this friendship coming?
I have always been amused at how quickly Christians want to quote Paul when he said, “I become all things to all men that I might win some.” It is a wonderful quote and a great declaration for someone to make. But if you are not actively trying to win through the influence of the gospel then you are lying when you quote that passage.
A Chameleon is a little animal that clings to trees and can change color according to whatever he is near. I am seeing this at work in many Christians today. They are hardly identifiable in a crowd, not that being able to mix with sinners effectively would be bad, it is what evangelism needs. But this blending in I am talking about has nothing to do with winning others to Christ, it has everything to do with simply wanting to fit in.
The Bible encourages us not to allow ourselves to be pressed into being like the world. The truth is if we dress, talk and act certain ways so that a group or person will accept us but we are not taking any stand for truth and not proclaiming gospel reality then the only alternative is being pressed into the world’s image as opposed to Christ. God’s glory needs to matter to believers. His glory is conveyed when the gospel is lived out and shared freely with others.
Looking cool, acting cool, talking cool, without sharing the love of Christ through making the gospel known and having the ability to know when it’s time to say no because the others are going too far is nothing short of being conformed to the world. It is easy out of insecurity and a strong desire to do things and say things to fit in but if you have to sell out all that Christ is in order to have the friends you now have are they true friends anyway?
If you are running with bad companions without the motive and practice of trying to win them over with the gospel then get honest and call it what it is. You are being bad to fit in with the bad, and you are being good when around the good to fit in with the good. You do not know who you are and you are uncomfortable with your surroundings.
The reason a Chameleon changes color to suit his background is it is the only way he can feel safe. If he stands out he can be attacked. Too many Christians are too afraid of what others may think if they speak up or actually say no. It is time to love Christ and the Gospel so effectively that we cannot help but say along with Paul the same one who said he becomes all things to all men, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and again, Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel.”
In your efforts to fit in, are you selling out?
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
