Exercise Freedom with Caution

July 13, 2014 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8, 9 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 8 WARNING: Your Behavior might affect the Spiritual Health of Others (Many sinners continue to suffer as a result of second-hand sin!) Christians are free from the world and the laws of mankind as long as we live as Christians. We are free also from the Law of Moses which condemns to death anyone who attempts to be made right with God (justified) by living according to the letter of its precepts. This condemnation occurs because of sin in our members. Life in Jesus Christ brings this glorious freedom to all who trust in Jesus for salvation. However, the word of God admonishes us to be careful how we live out this liberty because of the damaging effects it can have on others who are spiritually immature in Christ or non-Christians. We must be careful that our freedom doesn’t become a stumbling block for others who are not strong in the faith. Paul gives two examples of this to the church at Corinth. The first example concerns the consumption of food that has been ceremonially offered to idol gods. Mature Christians understand that idols are nothing but the product of man’s imagination and therefore they have no power. Idols are manmade, manipulated by man, and they have no power within them even to exist. Food that is supposedly offered as a sacrifice to idols is not transformed into anything. It is still food that is good for consumption. However, for those who are weak in the faith, eating this food joins them ceremonially with the idol god and their minds are corrupted as a result of it. They are not free to worship God because they believe that they are in fellowship with some idol. Because of their spiritual immaturity, they are religiously confused because they believe that the religion of the idol is something valid. If they act against what they believe, it will become sin to them. Paul’s other example concerns the right of spiritual leaders to be compensated for their work. Paul uses examples of military personnel, farmers and shepherds to defend his argument. All of these laborers avail themselves of the fruit and benefits of their labor. Paul argues that religious leaders have a right to partake of the fruit of their labor that is bestowed on others for the sake of Christ. Then Paul takes a different course altogether. Paul acknowledged that he willingly gave up his rights or freedom for the sake of others. Since others who were weak could be mentally damaged by consuming the food, Paul gave up the privilege of eating it so that others would not be led astray by his actions. Likewise, he refused the material support of the churches in his circuit so that no one could hold him accountable or indebted to them other than as a minister sent to them by Jesus Christ. Paul summarized his decision by stating that he kept himself available to gain more of them for Christ. He did not overstate the Law for Gentiles who did not embrace the Law and yet he did not deny or disrespect the Law in the presence of Jews who were strict adherents of it. Paul thoroughly recognized the great freedom he had in Christ yet he restrained himself for the sake of furthering the gospel’s impact in the world. Yes, Christians have liberty but let us not use our freedom in Christ in a way that can hurt others. Robert C. Hudson July 5, 2014