Being Influential for Good in the Lives of Others

Paul’s position in the church was an apostle.  The corresponding responsibility of this position is to teach the gospel.  In 1 Corinthians 9:1, Paul asked, “….are not ye my work in the Lord?”  In verse 16, Paul taught that it was his duty to teach the gospel.  These two things teach us quite a bit about how we, in today’s world, should approach teaching the gospel. 

Teaching and sharing the message of joy and good news that is the gospel of Christ is our work.  As members of the church, it is our job.  It is our duty to share that message with anyone and everyone we meet.  While every single member of the church is not a full-time, set apart missionary, we are given the call to be a member missionary.  Every single person we come in contact with is deserving of the opportunity to learn of Christ.  No one should be left out.  Our loving Father in Heaven wants his home to be complete and it is our duty, our privilege, to be part of bringing our spirit brothers and sisters home.

In 1 Corinthians 9:20-23, Paul goes into more detail about how we can and should accomplish this task of teaching those around us.  He says, in verse 22, “…I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”  What he means here is that he adapted himself to his surroundings.  He made a point of fitting in with whatever group of people he was teaching.  If he was teaching Jews, he behaved like the Jews.  If he was with those that are weak, he became weak.  What I love about his comment in verse 22 is that he is recognizing that he won’t be able to convert every person he teaches.  But he still is willing to make the sacrifices to adapt and change his behavior and persona in order to “save some.”  The number does not matter to him.  If he can be the means of saving “some,” that is enough for him.  It shows the great love for people that Paul had.  His desire to save anyone he could displays a very sweet and powerful love.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie clarifies Paul’s actions.  He states, “Paul here says he made himself all things to all men in an effort to get them to accept the gospel message; that is, he adapted himself to the conditions and circumstances of all classes of people, as a means of getting them to pay attention to his teachings and testimony. And then, lest any suppose this included the acceptance of their false doctrines or practices, or that it in any way involved a compro­mise between the gospel and false systems of worship, he hastened to add that he and all men must obey the gospel law to be saved” (New Testament Institute Manual).

We are not expected, as members of the church, to succumb to whatever sins or vices those we are teaching have.  We need to keep ourselves obedient to the Lord’s commandments.  However, in my experience, we are asked to be empathetic and loving and gentle to those we teach.  First, we need to love.  When we learn to love as Christ does, we are then able to understand the people we are teaching.  Their point of view matters.  Their background is part of what defines them, so it, too, matters.  Who they are matters.  If we can understand them, we are able to better relate to them.  If we can relate to them, we are even better equipped to help them find the strength and ability, through Christ, to overcome their challenges and use the gift of the atonement.

As we go forward and teach the gospel, it is important for us to remember that we, first, need to love those that we teach.  The sense of kindness and love that we feel and show towards the people we meet will be felt.  Our efforts will be magnified as we serve and teach in a spirit of love and offer understanding to everyone we meet.