It will never be our job to align the word to the status quo.
Hmm... While I see what you're saying about not altering the Gospel Itself for the sake of the audience, I would say there's need for clarification of your meaning right there. If "align the Word to the status quo" means "change or water down the Scriptures to avoid stepping on toes," then you're right. But if it means "adjusting the manner of presentation and even which point within the Gospels you start from," then I would assert that the latter is in fact exactly what we're called to do, as Paul went on to write:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 King James Version (KJV)
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
It would seem to me that God's intent was for His Word to be presented in a manner and context that would make it understood, which is different for every community and indeed every person. When attempting to minister to an academic, I would not use the same logic or rhetoric that I would when presenting the same Gospel to an illiterate banana farmer in Quezon Province.
I'll acknowledge there's a difference between "altering the message" and "altering the means of presentation," but that subtle turn of phrase there seems worthy of note.
Few things are more tragic than for someone not to accept the Truth because the only one in their lives who ever presented it to them soured their opinion of the Body of Christ forever by the manner in which they did so.
Thanks for the great reply.
Yes, I agree with everything you are saying and that is why I stated. "But He did not fit the word into a dialect the Pharisees would have been comfortable with." Also of course, status quo refers to the ways of the world.
Yes, you are so correct, and your statement here is the key.
I have changed the wording above in my post from align to "alter or malign". Guess I needed more prayer before typing.
Stay blessed and have joyous day!