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Introduction
The overall question that stands before us this morning is this.
To what extent can a believer participate in activities of this world?
I purposefully did not use the term “sinful activities” Many times, we associate the world’s activities as sinful, and, in many cases, rightfully so.
We, as believers, should always seek to avoid sin.
However, not everything in this world is necessarily sinful.
In fact, if you recall our study of 1 Corinthians 8, you will remember the issue surrounding meat unto idols.
In fact, it was this issue that ignited the teachings of chapters 8, 9, and 10.
At the heart of the problems was simply this.
Should a believer eat meat that was sacrificed to idols?
Sacrifices involved the killing and offering of animals.
In most of the sacrifices, the animal’s meat was divided into three portions.
The priest burnt one part for the sacrifice.
Another piece was given to the priest as payment for his services.
The last portion went back to the person offering the sacrifice for them to eat or sell.
In many pagan cities and towns, the leftover meat was often placed on the open market and was much cheaper than premium cuts of meat.
Meat offered to idols then was a bargain.
For families suffering financially, this meat was most likely the only meat they could afford.
However, for some believers, this was also a big problem.
Their argument was that it was meat offered to a false god and, thus, it was spiritually tainted and not to be eaten.
Now, in the end, meat is meat.
There is no difference in the meat offered unto idols versus meat that is not.
So, in this case, was it sinful to purchase meat offered unto idols so that a believer might feed his family?1 Corinthians 8 gives us the long answer.
However, for a simple version, the answer is no.
However, God does require that we be considerate of others.
From there, the Holy Spirit uses Paul’s testimony as an example to others in chapter 9.
He then warns us in chapter 10 about temptations and their dangers to our spiritual health.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Holy Spirit explains God’s view concerning temptations in a believer’s life.
And then, as we learned the past two weeks, idolatry is a perilous temptation for all believers.
His simple command to us, when faced with its temptation, is to “flee.”
Now, as we come to the last section of chapter 10, the Holy Spirit directs our attention to the primary objective of every believer’s daily life.
As He does, we find ourselves faced with the question I asked at the beginning.
How far and to what extent can we as believers be involved in activities of this world?
Is it okay to eat meat offered to idols?
Is it okay to attend a sporting event?
Should I, as a believer, do this or do that?
I will let you fill in the blank.
Now, here is one other thing to consider.
Many in the local church of Corinth used their spiritual liberty as a basis for their involvement in worldly and sinful activities.
The argument essentially went like this.
Since we are free from the bondage of sin through our faith in Christ, I am now at liberty to do whatever I want, for I know that even if it is sinful, God will forgive me.
Now, there are several fallacies with that argument.
Fallacies are pointed out by God in these chapters we are studying.
What is interesting to me is the fact that this argument still exists.
Many believers have used this same argument throughout my ministry to justify fulfilling sinful lusts instead of simply obeying Christ.
So, it is an argument that continues until this day.
That is the reason for this section we are about to examine today.
What then is God’s response to the question at hand?
How far and to what extent can we as believers be involved in the activities of this world?
In other words, what am I free to do and not to do?
Before I get into this, I need to remind you of this one thing.
We just finished two messages on idolatry.
Last week’s message from verses 16-22 is summarized by this one statement.
Who you hang with and what you do identifies who or what you truly worship!
The Holy Spirit gave two examples.
Believers who participate in the Lord’s table identify as true believers as they worship and remember the Lord’s death with other believers.
The second example involved Israel.
The Jewish person who followed the command of the law, especially in the area of sacrifices, identified as a worshipper of God.
Thus, what you do and who you spend your time with genuinely determines who or what you worship.
This then is the basis of the next section, which reads [page 683 in the Pew Bible]-
May I submit to you these verses which list-
Five Tests to Determine Your Involvement with the World
Verse 23 opens this section with a compelling statement.
There are two essential things to consider here.
The first is the statement, “all things are lawful for me.”
The word “lawful” simply means permitted.
In a sense, you are allowed to do anything and go anywhere.
It is well within your power to eat, drink, or do anything you wish.
Humanly speaking and within reason, no one can stop you from enjoying anything you so desire.
However, note for the believer that there are limitations.
Yes, you are permitted to do anything you so desire.
Yet, not everything is “expedient” and does not “edify.”
These two words give us the first test.
How do I know if this activity is permissible for me as a believer in Christ?
Test #1 - Is it EXPEDIENT and EDIFYING for My Spiritual Wellness?
The word “expedient” means to bring together and is often used when referencing something advantageous, beneficial, or profitable.
In other words, is this activity something that will benefit my relationship with Christ?
Does it harm me spiritually?
Obviously, many things do.
For instance, we just covered an entire section about idolatry.
Participating in sacrifices to false pagan gods does not benefit your spiritual relationship with God.
It is just not expedient.
However, we must also ask if it is “edifying.”
The word “edify” means to build a house.
However, the idea is to create a substantial home.
It is not just throwing a few boards with a roof over them.
Instead, it has the idea of building a house with a solid foundation that is wind and waterproof that looks good.
As such, we, as believers, build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Each day we work on this project adding all the spiritual materials necessary so that we may be able to withstand the storms of life.
The only way we can build or “edify” our lives is with our obedience to the Word of God.
With that in mind, this first test not only answers if what I am about to do is beneficial to my relationship with God but does it also help me live in obedience to God’s Word.
If you are about to violate any part of God’s Word, it is wrong and sinful.
Our job is to flee from it.
Don’t do it.
Test #2 - Is it HARMING Another Person’s Physical or Spiritual Wellness?
Look at verse 24 of our text.
Whether we accept it or not, one of God’s directives is to love others even as we love ourselves.
Thus, we must be careful that we do not do things that would cause any harm to someone else.
Our minds must be set on seeking “another’s wealth” or, may I put it this way, “another’s welfare or wellness.”
Don’t do it if it harms or brings them down spiritually.
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