Freedom to Edify

November 26, 2023 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8; 10:23 - 11:1 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:23 - 11:1 As Christians, we should know that we are seen as role models by others. This can be a challenge for us because we don't know who is observing us as such. We should assume that our behavior is being observed and imitated by others. How we exercise our freedom around others can be for their good or bad. It depends on what they observed us doing. In every area of freedom, there are decisions to be made because freedom itself demands its own conformance. Salvation in Jesus Christ is the ultimate freedom. All requirements for holiness based on the Law are demonstrated to perfection in Christ. Christians are liberated from anything that could possibly enslave us. If we know this, then we must take care to not allow our freedom in Christ to become an offense to others. In other words, we should not allow our freedom to cause others to be enslaved. Christians show maturity as we learn to limit our freedoms so that non-Christians are not confused by our way of living. This was one of the areas of concern Paul addressed in his letter to the Corinthian congregation. One example of this involved eating animals that were first offered to an idol god. This was a religious ritual for some unsaved people in Corinth. When a person participated in eating what was offered to an idol, they considered it a form of worship of that idol. When a Christian participated in eating the same, it was considered an act of worship by non-Christians in Corinth. It would be difficult to evangelize those unsaved people later if you are seen as worshipping the same god they worship. If accepting Christ does not deliver one from idol worship, then why do it? To be sure, a Christian is free to eat whatever they choose if they understand that all of it comes from God. The Christian's faith is not affected by what they eat or don't eat. However, people who are lost and believe that eating offered animals as a religious ritual would protect them will not readily agree to listen to any good news about a Jesus who can deliver them from that protection. Mature Christians should avoid creating confusion for unsaved people by restricting our behavior. We have the freedom to do it, but we choose to not exercise our freedom that we might reach the unsaved for Christ. We can reach the unsaved by adjusting our behavior in their presence. Some situations are easier to avoid than they are to explain. Christians should meet people where they are, and not where we are. We can assist people to get to where we are if we first meet them where they are. Our goal should always include building up, or edifying, others. We must adjust to people, and their culture, to be able to edify them. However, we don't adjust by compromising our faith or standards. We must always present ourselves as children of God. Being children of God does not mean that we are better than others. We are saved by grace through faith and not our actions or self-worth. Unsaved people are just as valuable as saved people. The difference is we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our calling is to share the good news that God has provided salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a difficult message to convey when the unsaved cannot see any God in us. Has being a Christian made any difference in our lives? We should be able to demonstrate that difference as well as talk about it. Our demonstration of salvation begins with how we exercise our freedom in Christ. If our lives confuse people, make them feel belittled, or show no concern for the welfare of others, then our testimony will have no effect on them. Salvation should also empower us with the wisdom of God that teaches us how to behave around others. Robert C. Hudson November 11, 2023