If you could have any X-Men power, what would it be? Would you want to heal like Wolverine? Or have telepathy like Professor X? Or maybe the power over ice like Iceman? One power that seems very advantageous is Mystique’s power. Hers is the ability to shapeshift her very body into any other person so she can fulfill her mission – whatever it may be. That ability could definitely be a danger to some people, but an asset to others. As neat as a physical ability like that could be, have you ever thought of being a spiritual “Mystique”?
In 1 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul talks about “becoming all things to all people” for the sake of the gospel. What does Paul mean when he says this, and what does it mean for us as believers today? Let’s find out.
Preaching the Gospel for Free
We all need basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and water to live. These days, due to the current state of the world, they all cost money. We need to work, make money, and have the means to support ourselves. Even in the days of the disciples, after Jesus resurrected and went to heaven, they had to support themselves. Now, I’m sure some church leaders received funds or some sort of compensation as they cared for the church congregation (see 1 Corinthians 9:4-7). Yet, the apostle Paul mentions that he doesn’t require any means as he preaches. Paul goes on to say,
“Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”
1 Corinthians 9:8-11
Paul brings up the Mosaic Law that was written in the Old Testament. In the time of Moses, Aaron and his family who were priests were provided for by the people as they served in the Tabernacle of God (see Deuteronomy 18:1-8). Paul is saying here that he could demand such provisions from the congregations he serves as a spiritual leader, but he doesn’t. Instead, Paul says he preaches the gospel free of charge.
“What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.”
1 Corinthians 9:18
Preaching Like a Spiritual Shapeshifter
Now, this may not seem related to being a “spiritual Mystique”, but if we look in the gospels, we see that Jesus preached freely. Jesus didn’t preach in synagogues or temples, but on the mountainside, or on a boat. He was accessible to the lowest class of people like tax collectors, beggars, and prostitutes. He didn’t demand they pay him or anything like that. He just preached God’s Word to anyone who would listen.
Jesus instructed his disciples (and believers today) that they received without paying, so they should give without pay (Matthew 10:8). God gives us all things necessary for life for free. Think about it: we have air, water, food, the basic things we need to live on the Earth, and we don’t pay a cent. Can you imagine if God charged us for breathing the air or drinking water? It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? What God truly wants to give is spiritual eternal life. And that’s given through His Word, spoken by the one He sent. That person testifies freely. Jesus taught daily and didn’t receive any payment. His disciples also preached after Jesus went up to heaven, and they too weren’t paid. Apostle Paul, too, says he preaches for free because he knows his reward is much greater than any worldly wealth.
Becoming a Spiritual Shapeshifter
Instead, Paul talks about how he becomes a servant to all in order to win more of them (evangelize). Remember how I talked about the X-Men Mystique earlier? Remember her power to shapeshift, to blend in, anywhere she’s at, and accomplish her task? Paul, in a sense, does just that.
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 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 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 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.”
1 Corinthians 9:19-22
While Paul doesn’t physically become different people, he meets others where they’re at. He tries to understand them and walk in their shoes so to speak, all for the sake of sharing the gospel. Paul doesn’t compromise his belief in Christ, but he’s willing to listen to those around him and guide them to Christ instead of forcing them to believe or persecuting them (see Acts 8).
What Does That Mean for Believers Today?
The world today is full of all kinds of people with various beliefs and cultures. I doubt all of your friends or acquaintances are Christians or even religious. How do you act when you’re around non-believers? We are meant to be the light and salt to the world (Matthew 5:13-14), meaning we are meant to be those who can guide people to Christ. But how should we do that?
Like how Mystique can change herself to become anyone, like how Paul became all things to all people, we, too, must learn to bring people to Christ through various ways. As we talk to those around us, as we try to evangelize others, we should try to understand them and where they’re coming from. As we share the gospel of Christ with others, we should do it in the way Christ did. Christ Jesus loved others, and as he evangelized, he spoke the truth in a gentle way. We are called to do the same. Apostle Paul reminds us of this in 2 Timothy 2.
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
2 Timothy 2:24-26
If we look at all these qualities: not quarrelsome, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting with gentleness. All these are shown by Jesus Christ. While we can’t physically shapeshift like Mystique, we can adapt ourselves to fit various situations and people in a way that leads people to Christ. I’d like to point out that we should lead others to the gospel gently and not use violence or coercion. We should always keep God’s love for us and others as we try and evangelize. Yet as we do this, we must not add or change God’s Word, nor must we live in a way that causes others to stumble. We must live according to the commands of Christ and God.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
What Can We Do?
As we share the gospel with others, we must remind ourselves of how we should live. Jesus said the words he speaks will judge us on the last day (John 12:48), and we are judged according to what we’ve done (Revelation 20:12-15). As Paul says, we should not live or preach in a way that disqualifies us from the gift of salvation. We should understand the Word correctly first before we begin preaching it, and as we learn it, we should change ourselves – our words and actions – so others may see God’s Word reflected in us.
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:5-6
Let us remember these words and be like a spiritual Mystique to fulfill the tasks we have as evangelists for Christ and God.
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:2, 5
I hope you and I can learn to become all things to all people just as the Apostle Paul did, so we may win many souls for Christ and glorify God.
Written by Kenny
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