by Michael Yong

“…I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23)

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul spoke of his rights as an apostle (vs 3-5), especially the right of support in the work of the gospel (v14). But he gave up that right in the case of the Corinthian believers. However, he was free to exercise either option.

Paul’s freedom also extended to the people he reached– the Jews, those under the law, those outside the law, and those who were weak (9:19-22). He became like them in some ways, yet without compromising the gospel. The implication was that Paul could adjust his approach to each of these groups of people he was reaching for the gospel. No cookie-cutter approach. No one-size fits all.

As an example, Paul circumcised Timothy “because of the Jews who were in those places” (Acts 16:3). Also, he approved Peter who “live(d) like a Gentile and not like a Jew…” but not when Peter “force(d) the Gentiles to live like Jews” (Galatians 2:14).

In SYFC, the young people we meet come in all shapes and sizes. So, we alter our ways of reaching them. As a result of the pandemic, we discovered new opportunities when the usual pre-COVID ways of doing things were not possible.

SYFC’s purpose is still the same– sharing the gospel with youth. But COVID-19 has taught us to be adaptable in how we do it, charting new ways we had not thought about before. Going face-to-face with young people is desirable but not always possible or beneficial, as you will find out in this REACH. So we need to be flexible in our engagement with youth yet uncompromising in our mission.