Just Because I Can , Doesn’t Mean I Should

Last Sunday we talked about making the choice between God and the world.

Here Paul brings us back to the idea of our freedom in Christ…

1 Corinthians 10:23–33 CSB

23 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. 24 No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person. 25 Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, without raising questions for the sake of conscience, 26 since the earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it. 27 If any of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, without raising questions for the sake of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This is food from a sacrifice,” do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person’s. For why is my freedom judged by another person’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I criticized because of something for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.

Again, the issue of eating meat used in sacrifice is at the center of Paul’s discussion. Even though this is not an issue for us as always we can find application in our lives.

Paul says we have freedom in Christ and our freedom means as he says, “everything is permissible”.

Not everything is a benefit spiritually or physically.

Some things we do, though maybe not a sin can still detour us spiritually or hamper us spiritually.

We need to be careful to not hurt our walk or witness.

The same is true physically - think about the Mosaic food laws… now I love seafood and when I was younger I could eat buckets of shrimp but now… if I eat too much, well can you say gout.

Think about all the stuff we eat, drink, etc. and the toll it can take on our bodies leaving unhealthy and unable to serve God sometimes.

Not everything builds us up or others.

Merriam Websters says to build up is to develop gradually by increments and to promote the health, strength, esteem or reputation.

Does what you are doing help you to become more like Christ?

Does it help others come to Christ or deepen their faith.

It’s not about always about us.

We are to be concerned about the well being of others - keep in mind Paul is talking spiritually.

On a mission trip to Venezuela we were told that if someone offered us food to eat it because it was probably a huge portion of their income and it would be offensive if we didn’t. I was given flan, which I am not a fan of anyway, but this was way different and I really didn’t want it but I ate it.

It doesn’t seem like a big deal but the possibility of offending the person and hurting my witness to them is a big deal.

We must take care to not be an offense to both believers and unbelievers.

The main objective of everything we do should be to glorify God.