As we make decisions, we must consider surrendering our rights for the gospel’s sake. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul argues that we should surrender our rights because we love people. Loving people means that we will adapt to their culture to have opportunities for the gospel. We observed that this means that we take the interests and joys that others have and make them our own. We observe the non-sinful aspects of the culture we are in and adapt. When I moved to Georgia, it meant that I became a Georgia Bulldogs fan. When I moved to Michigan, it meant that I became a fan of the Maize and Blue.

 

Sadly, some Christians have used 1 Corinthians 9:20-21 as an excuse to sin. Others have used the text to engage in unwise and unhelpful activities. You have probably heard the excuses. “I am spending the weekend in the bar getting drunk so that I can reach the unbelievers there and share the Gospel with them.” “I am participating in the riots to demonstrate to the community that I love them.” “I am missing the gathering of the body so that I can go out with my friends and maybe have a gospel opportunity.” However, this thinking contradicts what Paul discusses in this crucial text.

 

We know that Paul is not instructing Christians to adapt to the sinful parts of culture because of texts like Romans 6:1-2. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” And again in Romans 6:14-15. “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!” The idea that a Christian should sin so that he can share the gospel is a laughable thought. As my first-grade teacher always said to my class, “It is never right to do wrong to have a chance to do right.”

 

The gospel does not advance by Christians surrendering to the sinful culture around them but by standing for the truth of the gospel. We don’t confirm unbelievers in sin but call them to repentance and grace through Christ. This principle of surrendering our rights is not a call to sin but humility. It is not a call to foolishness but to wisdom. We don’t participate in sin with our neighbor but enjoy their non-sinful hobbies with them.

 

When we consider the gospel as we make decisions, we begin to understand the balance we seek in our cultural engagement. The gospel calls people out of a sinful life into a life of righteousness. But the gospel does not call people out of their unique God-given culture. The gospel redeems culture, but it does not eliminate culture. So don’t use this principle as an excuse to sin. Instead, use it as a reminder that people are more important than your preferences.