The Power of Elastic Christianity

1 Corinthians 9:22

“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

One size rarely fits all. Each person needs something different. And if you are attentive to this, you will have great power of influence and wide opportunities to serve God.

Marketers, retailers and educators all understand this. Churches often do not. Narrow Christians can be down right obnoxious with inflexibility. But the story of the early followers of Jesus is different.

John talked about “love” constantly and dogma only rarely. James talked about behaviour anchored in an experience of God’s living Word, not a book of rules. Peter wrote about learning to suffer, serve and die taking Jesus as our model. They all wrestled with ethics because their Christian faith was dynamic. They were elastic Christians.

Christianity is not a box that you put people in. It is not a factory production line. It is not a few dot points and a short prayer. It is important to remember that Jesus didn’t write a book. He lived a life and said “Follow me”. He died, rose, gave us his Spirit and said go make disciples of ME.

Why do people oppose Religious Education in schools in Victoria? Why does Bob Carr champion the separation of religion and state in NSW? Probably because they fear crusty inflexibility more than they value the Christian social contribution. Many people have experienced “Thou-Shalt-Not” versions of the faith from grumpy coots that would not bend. The result, their subjects broke! Such religion kills.

Paul is promoting something powerful. Constant change in his method. Flex in his strategy. Stretch in his diary, pocket book, traditions and ideology in order to embrace more and more of God’s work.

Christianity is a wardrobe not a uniform. It has the individuality of several billion designer pieces. Don’t try to dress your friends in your clothes! Let the master designer do it. His work is striking!

Of course there needs to be a fastening point. Elastic can’t stretch without it. Paul’s anchor was clear. “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

Paul’s passion was not to make everyone look like Paul. He wanted everyone to be like Jesus. He was willing to stretch this way (act thoroughly Jewish) than that was (be Greek) then some other way (become weak) in order to serve the people around him. He was not predictable. He was not rigid. He was elastic. (1Cor. 9:19-23)

Is this an easy way to live? Not really. It demands that you think more. It can put you in perplexing situations. It is messy and sometimes confusing. BUT, it serves people, it mirrors Jesus and it grows God’s Kingdom.

Paul’s bottom line: “I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings.” 1 Cor. 9:23

Questions:

• How do you practice Paul's insights?
• What dangers do you see in this thinking? What opportunities?
• Leave a comment.