A few mornings ago on Facebook my friend Dennis Watson posted these words: “These verses are why I don’t indulge in some activities.” He then quoted from 1 Corinthians 8.
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak sonscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.”
In Christ, we are free. We do not set up rules and regulations, yet we struggle with what is lawful or acceptable but is not helpful to others.
My friend Dennis (who is an excellent pastor) made the choice Paul made. Paul determined to err on the side of not doing anything which would cause spiritual harm to other brothers.
Notice what Paul says in this passage.
First, those who are mature should be examples for those who are weak or young in the faith. The greatest example is that of denying self to strenghten the one who is weak.
Second, to cause another person to stumble is “sin against your brothers” and to “sin against Christ.” No wonder Paul and Dennis made the choices they did. They want to please Christ. Those believers in Corinth struggled with whether or not they should eat meat which had previously been secrificed to an idol. You and I face different issues, but they are just as dangerous to our spiritual well being.
Third, because of our relationship with Christ, we also have a relationship with one another. We have a family relationship–brothers and sisters–which demands we care for one another.
If you would like to receive my daily look at life and Scripture, please sign up at the top of the page for a free subscription.
If you would like to share this with Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter friends, please use the buttons at the end of the post.
One Response
A great reminder to that early question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” I have always answered that question in the context of the Golden Rule and the description Christ, Peter and Paul gave for what we call “Church” or the Community of Christ under His Commission. Likemindedness is not a request. It is His order to be Christ-like in relationship with the Father and His, His New Commandment.
Great example to consider regarding Whose We are and Our Responsibility to address issues presented before Us.
Blessings