Understanding Christian Liberty
Rev. Hank F. Griffin
Paul, in his first letter to the church at Corinth deals with a lot of issues that we as believers still deal with today. He addresses the topics f division among the church (1:10), the congregation being infants in Christ rather than spiritual men (3:1-), the ministry of a servant of Christ (4), sexual immorality (5), and so on and so forth. Paul is writing to a group of believers that are in the city of Corinth. This letter is written probably around the year of A.D. 55 in Ephesus, during Paul’s third missionary trip (MacArthur Study Bible)
-Paul addresses the question on how does a believer determine what God thinks on something when the Bible doesn’t address a particular subject?
-Things that are lawful for a believer, are not always profitable. Paul addresses this issue in depth from chapter 8 through chapter 10.
Galatians 5:1 (NASB)
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
We’ll get an introduction into this topic on understanding Christian liberty. Although there is much to be covered on this topic, we will look at the two reasons why something that isn’t covered in scripture is good or bad.
Paul gives an illustration of eating food offered to idols in chapter 8.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASB)
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
-we as believers have liberty in Christ, but we have to exercise self control. We can’t allow our bodies to do what they want and sin. The result of not being self controlled is disqualification from the ministry. You loose your usefulness, not your salvation.
-Not all people are in the same spiritual condition. Some are weaker, while others are stronger in the Lord. As believers we must be on guard in every moment. We must be ready and watch for sin that comes up in our life, maybe without us even knowing.
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (NASB)
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.
I. Effect(s) on others.
A. Neither better or worse.
1 Corinthians 8:8-9 (NASB)
But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak
The issue is not weather or not the eating of this food is going to bring us closer to God. The act of eating this food is not good or bad; the problem comes in with the effects of doing this act.
B. Love- seeking the other persons good
1 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB)
…Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
-We may have the knowledge of the act not being wrong, but the other individual may not, and so we as more mature must be mindful of that fact.
1 Corinthians 10:24 (NASB)
Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor
-Because of our love for others we don’t just seek our own good, but rather that of others. We see this same principle echoed in others parts of Scripture, such as Philippians chapter 2 verse 4, and Galatians chapter 6, verse 2.
1 Corinthians 8:13 (NASB)
Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.
C. Defiling A Weak Conscience
1 Corinthians 8:7 (NASB)
However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
-Paul states here in chapter 8 that it’s okay to eat this food; but not all men have the same knowledge as you, being a more mature believer has. The weaker person may see or hear of you doing this act and their weak conscience is defiled. You as a mature believer may sit and eat and have a good time-in the Lord, but you are like we seen earlier are being a stumbling block to the weaker person.
-We see that not only do we sin against a brother or sister in the Lord whom Christ died for, but we sin against Christ himself (vs. 12), as is with every sin we commit.
II. Effect(s) on yourself.
Galatians 2:4-5 (NASB)
But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
-They didn’t give up there liberty in Christ, they didn’t stop for even an hour! We have that same position to not give up our freedom in Christ. Not to go back in bondage. Don’t give up your freedom in Christ. If you give up your liberty without cause people will confuse what you do or don’t do with the gospel. And so for example if you give up your liberty without cause someone will look at you and say they are in bondage to the rituals and things and that’s what Christianity looks like.
A. Profitable or not?
1 Corinthians 10:23 (NASB)
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12 (NASB)
For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” 8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
III. The Danger of Flirting with Sin.
1 John 5:16-17 (NASB)
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.
-Two views on “sin leading to death”
1) People that have departed
(fallen away).
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NASB)
For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.
See also “unpardonable sin” (Matthew 12)
2) Sin that God determines to take a individuals life for (Acts 5:1–11)
1 Corinthians 11:27-30 (KJV)
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
IV. Doing Everything to the Glory of God
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB)
31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
A. NOT GLORIFYING GOD
Author unknown-
"Sin is not only evil in itself, but it compels God to do what men are bound to misunderstand. God's name is profaned, not only when His people sin, but when they force Him to punish them."
Romans 2:24 (NASB)
For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.
Jeremiah 14:7 (KJV)
O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
B. GLORIFY GOD
1 Timothy 5:11-15 (NASB)
But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. 13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15 for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
1 Timothy 6:1 (KJV)
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Charles Spurgeon-
We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the “salt of the earth,” to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life.
I. Effect(s) on others- how will other people be affected by my actions? Will what I do cause someone to stumble
II. Effect(s) on yourself-does this help me? (edify)
III. Be on guard against sin. Be aware of the danger of flirting with sin.
IV. Doing Everything to the Glory of God.
Titus 1:1-2 (KJV)
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
2 Timothy 1:9 (KJV)
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
** “before time began”
John 6:37,44 (KJV)
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Hebrews 10:31 (NASB)
It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 (KJV)
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
