By all means

“I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.”  1 Corinthians 9:22

By all means – This is the word about tactics.  We are all familiar with the terms “strategy” and “tactics”.  Strategy (another good Greek word) is that overall plan of action – the big picture stuff that gets you from where you are to where you want to be.  It is mission statement, goal oriented language.  Tactics is the nuts and bolts effort; the daily grinding it out operations part of the plan.  If I want to have a major presence in the Orlando food business (mission and strategy), then I have to put in place all the leases, contracts, vendors and store operations to make that happen.  Tactics is how to do the business.  Strategy is what business you do.

Paul’s strategy was the presentation of the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles.  In this verse, he gives us a glimpse of his tactics – “any which way you can”.  Paul did not care if he rode in on a donkey or a limousine.  He didn’t care if he had a television ministry or a back room church (or no church at all).  He didn’t care if he was talking to an alcoholic or a company president.  He says, “I will adapt myself to any set of circumstances in order that I may fulfill my mission – seeing the lost find Him.”

Do you have tactics like Paul?  Are you ready to adapt to any set of circumstances in order to proclaim the truth of Jesus?  Recently I heard of a Christian leader who was asked to change some of his company policies in order to bid for a contract.  The policies were entirely legal, but did not follow God’s view of morality.  What would Paul do?  After considerable prayer and God’s leading, Paul might have said, “Think of these circumstances as an opportunity to proclaim Jesus.  Whether you make the changes or not, let your customer know where you stand.  Hold up God’s honor in the process.  If you comply with the law, let it be not under protest but under the Lord’s command to love those who persecute Him.  If one person finds Christ in the process, haven’t you honored the One who sent you?”

If we believe that God orders the steps of a righteous man, then every circumstance is an opportunity to endorse whom we follow.  “By all means” – in Greek pantos – is the tactical plan of salvation.