Take Two: 1 Corinthians 8, Proverbs 23

In 1 Cor 8, Paul really starts talking meat! (pun intended). The subject really relates to our freedom in Christ and the responsibility that goes with that freedom.

As believers, we know that our relationship with God is through Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone (Eph 2:8-9). We are not saved because we did certain things. It is not because of how we dress or how we sing, or where we spend our time on Sunday morning. Our relationship is the product of God's grace toward us which we trust in (faith) exclusively as the basis for our relationship. The knowledge of this is a bit overwhelming. To think that God will not love you more because you come to church twice on Sunday than He loves a man in India who has no church to worship in...is both convicting and freeing. The freedom aspect is what Paul is addressing here.

There were some who taught that one should live lives of pure liberty...doing whatever they wanted and acting within the culture of the day...in any way they chose, even if others were hurt by it. Paul said that this attitude was irresponsible and actually was a sin against Christ (1 Cor 8:9, 11-12). Even though the conduct to YOU may not be idolatrous or evil in any way...if your actions are perceived by less mature believers or non-believers as such...you have hurt them.

So the question comes up: When do I fight for my "liberty" and when do I yield to others in "love?" Paul says, LOVE ALWAYS! This is the same principle as "turn the other cheek" or "walk a second mile." It is the heart of a servant. Paul goes as far as to become a vegetarian forever if eating meat caused any brother to stumble (1 Cor 8:13).

Most of us want to spend time trying to win people over to our way of thinking. We do that so that we will feel better about what we do rather than because we want others to experience the liberty we have (sometimes). Sometimes we do it because we like being the smartest guy in the room. We want people to admire how spiritual we are. Paul says here that if the motive of our actions is not love for others, then we are missing the point. (As a sidenote, sometimes people think that this only applies when moving from "tradition" to contemporary issues. To the contrary, the same applies from those who would vehemently try to win someone to a style of dress, music, or Bible version commensurate with an era 50 years ago).

So, how does this apply? Do we try to convince people that smoking a cigar or a little "social drinking" is ok? Do we try to convice people that praise choruses are just as spiritual as hymns? Would these things be helpful to anyone? In love, we are to live as servants to all...exercising great responsibility with our Christian freedom. Anything else...misses the point and misses the mark.

Proverbs 23:9 is the takeaway today. I wish I could tattoo this on the inside of my eyelids. For now, I will have to just commit to memory. I wish I had back the countless numbers of hours I have spent trying to convince someone their position was wrong...when what they really wanted was to be entertained with the discussion or to change my mind. How much better to act as one of my professors in Seminary. He would often just start to smile and say, "hmmm. Interesting." Then, change the subject.

Grace,