I am every Man

I've been accused by some as being an inscrutable leader. Yet others swear that I am the most approachable, most transparent leader they've ever met. Still others suggest that I am a bit of both and somewhat enigmatic. So which one am I? No really, which one am I? Paul, in writing to the Corinthian Church declared:

"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. I do it all for the sake of the gosepel...."

So, Paul, what exactly are you saying? Are you excusing bad behavior for the sake of reaching any and everyone with the message of the Gospel? I think not. May I suggest that Casting Crowns clearly understood what Paul was saying in his message to the Church at Corinth. Here's how they've interpreted his words in a song titled Every Man:

I'm the man with all I've wanted

All the toys and playing games

I am the one who pours your coffee

Corner booth each Saturday

I am your daughter's favorite teacher

I'm the leader of the band

I sit behind you in the bleachers

I am every man

I'm the coach of every winning team

And still a loser in my mind

I am the soldier in the airport

Facing giants one more time

I am the woman shamed and haunted

By the cry of unborn life

I am every broken man

Nervous child, lonely wife...

Quite eloqently put, wouldn't you say? Until you've identified with each person's circumstance, you are in no position to judge their condition. Love covers a multitude of sin (it doesn't judge it). So who am I? I am every man! Sometimes inscrutable, sometimes vulnerable, sometimes a bit of both, that I might reach some for Christ. And in His grace, He doesn't judge me the way others do. Thankfully He is the One I have to answer to. I am every man!