VALUE JUDGMENTS OR JUDGING WITH VALUE
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
INTRODUCTION: The dictionary defines a value judgment as, ¡§an assessment that reveals more about the values of the person making the assessment than about the reality of what is assessed.¡¨ In reality, we all make judgments all the time. Sometimes these judgments are minor ¡V like what do I want to wear today, or what time should I go to sleep and wake, up. Sometimes these judgments are significant ¡V like when America enters into war, or when a woman battles with the issues surrounding abortion.
Each judgment we make, though, says far more about us than it does about the issue under judgment. Paul brings this into clarity for the believer, as judgments were being made over the significance of eating meat that had been offered to idols. The response of the believers regarding this issue reveals volumes about their Christian character, and maturity in Christ. Additionally, in dealing with this one issue, the Apostle Paul gives us a valuable lesson, and practical answers to judging with value today.
I WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW IN ORDER TO JUDGE RIGHTLY ¡V 1 COR 8:1-3
A Christians Should Not Judge Based On Knowledge Alone
1 We cannot know enough
2 We cannot know everything
3 Information expands rapidly
4 Our grasp on truth is incomplete
a Tainted by our sin nature
b Tainted by our environment ¡V Satan is the ruler of this world
Ephesians 2:2 (NIV) Eph 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
B Only God Has The Capacity To Judge Rightly Based On Knowledge Alone.
1 God is the source of knowledge
2 God is the author of what can be known
3 God is able to access knowledge
a We have not discovered yet
b We will never discover
4 God does not choose to judge by knowledge alone!
a God¡¦s judgment based on knowledge alone condemns us all
b God¡¦s knowledge based on love and knowledge allows us the opportunity for salvation and the time to repent
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) 2Pe 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Romans 5:8 (NIV) Ro 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
C Christians Need To Approach Judgments Based On Both Knowledge And Love
1 To approach ANY issue from the standpoint of knowledge alone is dangerous to the body of Christ
a Knowledge based judgments are self-centered judgments
b Each of us skews knowledge in our own direction
2 We need to approach judgment issues from both knowledge and love
a Love builds others up
b The addition of love balances our judgment perspectives
DECISIONS BASED ON LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE, ¡K..
„Ï Effectively combines my liberty in Christ, with my responsibility as a believer
„Ï Allows me to reach conclusions based on both knowledge and Christian experience
o The difference between knowledge from the book, and knowledge in the field
D God Chose To Judge Us Based On Knowledge And Love
1 God knew we were:
a Sinful
b Haters of Him
2 God loved us
a Provide Christ
b Offer Salvation
IN FACT ¡V WHAT CONDEMNS MAN IS GOD¡¦S JUDGMENT BASED ON WHETHER WE HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST OR NOT. GOD JUDGES MAN BY LOVE IN EVERY AREA EXCEPT THE OFFER OF SALVATION!
GOD WANTS US TO BASE OUR JUDGMENTS ON OTHERS WITH BOTH KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE!
II BALANCING LIBERTY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN JUDGMENT ¡V 1 COR 8:4-8
A Liberty And Responsibility Is A Tension That Must Remain In Balance
1 Liberty is my actions related to my Christian maturity
2 Responsibility is my actions related to the Christian maturity of others
B The Role Of Christian Maturity
1 Christian maturity brings strength to resist the pull of the world
2 Christian maturity allows me to distinguish between my thoughts and beliefs
a My mind may know that something is not wrong
b My heart does not know that something is not wrong
3 The role of Christian liberty
a Christian liberty permits me to be involved in areas that I once believed to be wrong.
b Christian liberty permits the exercise of my individual judgment on issues not commanded or forbidden in the Word of God
C The Balance Of Liberty And Responsibility
1 The issue is not important
2 How we approach the issue relative to our maturity in Christ is the issue
3 For the stronger believer
a Don¡¦t be proud of maturity
b Don¡¦t be proud of freedom
c Act in love so that a weaker believer is not caused to stumble
4 For the weaker believer
a Take your time, and pray to God
b Do not force others to adhere to your stipulations
c Make sure your convictions are based on God¡¦s Word, and not merely expressions of your opinion
III THE ISSUE OF BEING A STUMBLING BLOCK ¡V 1 COR 8:9-13
A No believer has the right to be indifferent to another believer
B A seared conscience affects our ability to discern right and wrong
Timothy 4:2 (NIV) 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
Titus 1:15 (NIV) 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
C If Christ could give up all that He did for us, can¡¦t we give up something for a weaker brother?
