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Whoo, way too long between posts! So let's dive into something different this time around. The book this month is I Corinthians. In particular there is the call to those who are brothers (and sisters naturally) of how to live and even more importantly, why to live that way. Paul writes to the church and addresses some pretty weighty matters. And of course in Chapter 10 he focuses on some questions that we are all likely to ask. The question seems to be one of ownership. Who is the owner of our lives? The church was protesting some of the restraints that Paul was giving them. He was dealing with a specific question of whether or not believers should eat meat that had been dedicated to idols (false gods). Basically he told them that if you are a Christian then the food is fine because you are thanking your FATHER. He further instructed them not to ask questions about it because as long as they didn't know that it was dedicated to idols the situation posed no problem. BUT if they asked or it was announced that the meal was for a false idol, they should not eat. Now here is the really interesting part. NOT because it would cause them to be unchristian. Not because they would suddenly be struck down or come under the power of evil. But because other people who weren't as strong in the faith might see it and falter. Paul is touching on two really important aspects of God's desire for Christians to love others and ourselves. First GOD tells me that to do something I think is a sin, is a sin. In other words if two Christians had been invited to eat a meal with a neighbor and then found out the meal might have been offered as a sacrifice to some other idol two things could happen. The first might say "I am thanking my father in Heaven and I don't know what they intended this for but I know what GOD and I intend it for" and so he eats and has no problem. Remember God has said it was ok, we are not talking about a if it feels good to you it's ok thing. The same arguement doesn't work for stealing or adultry or telling lies. GOD makes HIS will clear on such things. In fact it's a great place to realize that feelings can easily mislead you. Now the second Christian worries about the situation and doesn't feel comfortable unless he asks and when he asks about the food and finds out that it was dedicated to an idol, his conscience tells him he would be sinning to eat, he would be disrespecting God. Now hang on because here is where the issue becomes really important for us, no matter which christian we identify with.

If the first christian goes ahead and eats the meal, knowing that his brother finds it a sin, then he is not acting in love and not acting out his faith. But wait, all things are permissable (v. 23) yes but not all things are beneficial. But again all things are permissable, right (v. 23b) again. However, GOD says but not all things are constructive. and then Paul goes on to say that the point is that anything we do that causes another person to struggle or stumble is not in love and therefore not worthy of following Christ. He futher illustrates this point by saying he would never eat meat again if it caused a brother to stumble. Now Paul was certainly not saying we have to become vegetarians and I am glad for that! However the point is that we have freedoms but our freedoms are not more important than other people. Therefore, so what if it is permissable? The question to ask is "does it hurt someone else, who admittedly may not be as strong in the faith?" BUT BUT BUT it's my life, the church protested. No, not anymore for "we were bought with a price." Now that brings up the second christian. Would it have been a sin for him to go ahead and eat since his brother was eating? Yes because he clearly felt that it would be. BUT that didn't give him permission to establish the sin line for his brother. In both cases we can see where we want to establish the line based on us. I don't want my freedoms hampered, therfore you should have my standard. OR I don't feel comfortable with something that you do, so I demand that you follow my standard. Again, neither is correct. and the reason is because GOD asks us to look at the motive as much as the motion. Over and over again HE tells us to remember that we are slaves to Christ. The kingdom of GOD is not food and drink. Did GOD make food and drink? yes. Is it great? yes. Should it be enjoyed? Yes! But if anywhere along the way it causes another to stumble for any reason, then put it away.

Now the hard part. Besides eating, what else are we doing that might be permissible but not profitable. Where do we lead another astray? Not only those who don't know us well but our close friends and family. Where are we demanding our freedoms at the expense of another? and on the other hand, could it be that sometimes we want to deny someone else's freedom for our conscience sake?

posted by Darol at 2:20 PM