Your freedom in Christ

1 Corinthians 10:23-24
²³  “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. ²⁴  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

 

While the Corinthians question was about eating meat sacrificed to idols that is sold in the market it brings an answer that has much to say to us today. The question of freedom and responsibility is one that we struggle with in our courts and on the streets of our nation every day.

Exodus 20:4-6 (ESV)
⁴  “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. ⁵  You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶  but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

1.      Freedom from the Law

a.      In buying meat in the market that is offered to idols are you not approving?

b.      The answer is no, not unless it’s advertised as such.

c.       If you are at a person’s house and they serve meat are you not approving?

d.      The answer is no, not unless they make a point of telling you.

2.      All things are Lawful, but not all things are helpful

a.      American rights, and the bill of rights

b.      Dress the way you want, Party the way you want, Stay out on the street in the middle of the night, Eat any thing you like

c.       Church don’ts go to movies, play cards, drink, smoke, chew, or listen to rock music or gamble.

d.      You are not bound to the Jewish law.

e.      But is it helpful to your relationship to God and the church?

3.      All things are lawful, but not all things build up.

a.      Freedom of speech

b.      But is our speech building up our country and community

c.       We have the freedom to speak in church

d.      Is what we say and do building up our faith?

e.      Is what we say and do building up the church?

f.        Is what we say and do building up other people?

4.      Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor

a.      Does the way we dress help destroy our neighbor?

b.      Does the way we treat the flag hurt our neighbor?

c.       In the church do we seek what will please us or do we seek the good of the church

d.      Are we truly concerned with our neighbors salvation or walk with Jesus?

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
²⁴  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
²⁵  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24
²³  “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. ²⁴  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

 

Let us seek things that are helpful. Let us seek things that will build and encourage each other. Let us seek to put our church’s and our neighbors walk with Jesus above our own rights.