Christian Liberty Series

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

I CORINTHIANS 8: 1-13

INTRODUCTION: Through the first seven chapters of this book Paul has advised the church to: 1) Fix their focus; 2) Forgo their feuding; 3) Face up to their foolishness and; 4) Forsake their filthiness. Now he tells them to: 5) Figure out their freedom.

The Bible is very clear on many subjects. There’s no need to discuss and no room for argument. But what about the “gray areas”, things that might be questionable, things on which the Bible is silent? These are things that have no specific instruction. They are neither black nor white.

This issue was so important that Paul took three chapters (8-10) to answer it. I’m only going to deal with it in I Cor. 8:1-13. Look at four “principles” Paul gives concerning our conduct concerning Christian liberty.

At issue here is meat that has been offered to idols at one of the twenty-six shrines. The first part of the animal sacrifice was consumed on the altar. The second part went to the priest. The third part was sold at reduced prices in the marketplaces. Bargain meat was dividing a church! Some saw nothing wrong with it. Some were offended. They asked Paul and he advised them. What we do should be:

I. Garnished With Love (1-3)

Many know that idols are nothing (not real). They conclude that there can be no contamination from something that does not exist. There’s no harm to that. We’re free – right? Paul lived by the principle of love. What will this do to unbelievers, Christian friends, or a weaker brother/sister? Idols to the pagans were real. The point is that Christian freedom carries with it a great responsibility. We should make decisions with regards to Jesus and others. I realize this can be carried to an extreme. There’s a difference between a weaker brother and a watchdog critic. Just remember that our knowledge may puff us up when our love should build others up. It’s a matter of witness and influence.

II. Governed by God (v.4-6)

Paul knew that many weak believers would see some buying and eating meat and would think they were worshiping idols. Could he be asking us to forgo something we consider harmless for the sake of someone who is watching us as a role model?

III. Guided by Selflessness (v.7-8)

Some are still “babes” (Ch.3). They may be offended. How will my actions affect them? It may be a case of ignorance (v.8). People need to understand that meat has nothing to do with being saved/unsaved (see Acts 10:14). Many eat rattlesnake, squirrel, rabbit, quail, etc… They do. I don’t. But meat does not commend us to God. One is saved by the finished work of Christ on the cross, not by what one eats. The point is that we should consider others above self.

IV. Gracious Toward Others (v.9-13)

See John 15:13. The question may not be right versus wrong but what about others? Liberty, but what about concern. You have knowledge but what about love? The reason not to do some things is that it might offend others. Will what I’m doing be a stumbling block? Will it keep someone from growing in grace? Liberty is to be limited by love. Eternal issues should always take precedence over temporal satisfaction.

CONCLUSION: We may hand out gospel “tracts” but in the end it’s our gospel “tracks” they watch!