Bound In Freedom

We Christians need to get something straight. We are bound to each other. The privileges of a community where we give and receive love inevitably limits our freedom. Freedom for the Christian is not some sort of self-actualization wherein I can become the real me at the expense of others, refuse to receive correction and live how I want to live.

Consider the case of 1 Corinthians 8. The chapter on food sacrificed to idols. In the church, some had no problem eating such meat while others were terribly disturbed by such an action. Paul makes clear that we understand idols are false, there is only one true God. Therefore, any meat offered to some pagan deity was actually offered to nothingness. The freedom of knowing the truth of Christ and His Gospel allowed for any Christian to eat as one wished.

However, there were some in the church who were "weak". They could not allow themselves to partake due to conscience. God had saved them from idolatry. How could they continue in such food that represented a former false way of life?  Here's what Paul says:

1 Corinthians 8:7 (ESV) some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

So what's the solution? Do the weak brothers and sisters need to "buck up" and deal? Do we just ignore them? NO!

He asks the free-minded Christian to willfully limit their freedom and not partake! He uses pretty strong language, even calling on the reality that a sin against a brother is a sin against Christ Himself (a lesson Paul learned on the road to Damascus from the Lord). 

He says eating such meat was "sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (Verses 12-13).  

Paul gives us a clear direction. It is best to limit your freedom to love your brother in Christ. In fact, any true love with bring limits on one's personal freedom. That is the nature of community.  It is the nature of the Gospel as well. We believe Christ, who though in the form of God, chose to limit Himself, become a servant and die our death (see Philippians 2:5-11). 

Independence and freedom is a wonderful thing in the life of a Christian, but it is NOT more important than relationships! As our generation seeks more and more "freedom" and "independence" we are going to have to come to grips with the fact that we are MADE for relationships and sacrifice comes standard.

May the Lord give us hearts willing to be so loving.

PRAYER:

Father, help us to love each other. We, Your people are often guilty of being so competitive and bitter toward one another. Yet we are Your children. Give us love for one another that will be the salt of the Earth and the light of the World. A love that will attract those who are far from us and bring them to You.