When have you enjoyed doing something that benefited someone else? Think
back on that one setting in which you sought the good of another over
your own. Hopefully you have such a memory to look back upon; otherwise
you would be most selfish indeed! Even though we are free to do all things,
there is a principle that should always guide us in the liberty we have
in Christ. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 10 beginning with verses
23 & 24, to find out just what that principle is and how it should be
applied to our lives…
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things
are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own,
but every man another's wealth.
As Christians, we are free to enjoy many privileges - "all things are
lawful,” the Bible says. That means that all things are allowed BUT all
things are not useful. Yes, there is something else to consider besides
just what is agreeable to us… Though we are free in Christ and have many
options before us, not everything we might choose for ourselves would
result in the edification of others. In fact, they might be of no help
at all! Therefore, the Bible says that the governing principle in our
lives must be to seek the good of every person - their prosperity, and
not just our own!
1 Cor. 8:9 (KJV)
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock
to them that are weak.
Whose good are you seeking after today?? Yours alone, or are you bowing
to the concerns and needs of others first? Ladies, our freedom in Christ
must be balanced with an attitude of responsibility toward other people!
For instance, we are to consider believers who might be weaker than us,
as well as persons who don't know Christ at all. In other words, we are
not free to be hurtful. You and I must soberly consider that our freedom
is always going to be judged by another man's conscience. Christianity
by no means forbids the common offices of kindness, or allows uncourteous
behavior to any, however they may differ from us in religious sentiments
or practices. We are to carefully and purposely avoid behavior that would
cause others to stumble.
Galatians 5:13 (KJV)
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty
for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
How does that truth settle with you today? The question that we should
ask ourselves in all that we seek to do must be this, "Will this decision
hurt anyone in my sphere of influence? Will the glory of God be hindered?"
You see ladies, we are to have holy and peaceable spirits, not spirits
that proceed through life without any thought given to what our choices
might mean to other people. Such proper thinking is a sign of godly maturity
and can only result from a heart that is sacrificial, and controlled by
the character of love....
1 Cor. 13:4-5 (KJV)
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth
not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh
not her own…
It is love that will prompt us to sacrifice our rights and privileges
for the sake of others. Now I realize that there are certain times of
the year when dining or gathering with unbelievers, sometimes we are faced
with the decision of how far to go with this issue of not offending others.
Naturally God is not calling us to a life of compromise, but a life of
pleasing Him first and foremost. The apostle Paul applied this very truth
to the questions he was asked in regard to private meals…
1 Cor. 10:25-31 (KJV)
Whatsoever is sold in shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience
sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of
them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever
is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if
any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not
for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is
the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own,
but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for
which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever
ye do, do all to the glory of God.
The believers here at Corinth were worrying themselves about the matter
of what food was permissible to eat, and what was not. We sure do get
hung up on some trivial issues at times, don't we? When we make mountains
out of molehills we warp our vision and lose sight of what really matters.
In so doing, these believers failed to remember that everything comes
from God, therefore all food is permissible to the Christian and will
not harm them to eat. By pointing this truth out to them first, Paul was
able then to point out to them the real issue of concern - the conscience
of man!
1 Peter 2:16 (KJV)
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but
as the servants of God.
Do you fail to consider the conscience of others?? For instance, if unsaved
family invited you to their feast, in your case it might be Thanksgiving,
Christmas, or Easter, you might then be faced with wondering if you should
attend or not based on the reasoning that they may not celebrating for
the right reasons. For example, someone who has no personal relationship
with the Lord is probably going to think more about the turkey on Thanksgiving
rather than thanking God who blessed him with it. To a lost person, Christmas
doesn't mean the same thing that it would to a Christian as things to
do with Santa consumes the season for them. Likewise Easter also takes
on an entirely different focus to those who know the Lord.
Ladies, we are not to refuse gathering with these folk just because they
may be celebrating for reasons other than the right ones! That is trivial!
Their conscience is at stake - and it is a conscience void of God, therefore
they are not capable of scriptural considerations. However, if our conscience
is clear on the matter and understanding of the issue, we should not have
a problem being around them. In Christian maturity, we must always consider
the conscience of the weaker and choose that which would not offend God
or man. Certainly the Lord won't be offended if we gather with lost family
or friends - He will be glad!! Unless of course it is based upon a truly
scriptural reason, our heavenly Father would be offended if we did not
spend time with them! Actually, it is the best way I know that we could
eat and drink to the glory of God…
1 Cor. 10:30-33 (KJV)
For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for
which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever
ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews,
nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men
in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that
they may be saved.
2 Cor. 1:12 (KJV)
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity
and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God,
we have had our conversation in the world, and MORE ABUNDANTLY TOYOU-WARD.
Remember ladies, you and I are responsible to seek the lost, not our own
benefit!! Our aim must always be the glory of God. Our conversation will
be well ordered when we live and act under such a gracious principle in
the heart. It is the main code of Christian living by which we should
govern all our decisions and activities. What overriding value governs
why you do what you do?? Don't decline celebratory invitations to gather
with the lost simply because of religious differences or because you want
to avoid spiritual tension for yourself. Do what is right for the conscience
and profit of others! A holy, peaceable, benevolent spirit will disarm
the greatest enemy. Search your hearts today and be certain that the right
spirit - the Spirit of God who desires to seek and to save that which
is lost, is governing your choices. Jesus Christ seeks the profit of others
and so should we!
Acts 24:16 (KJV)
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence
toward God, and toward men.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 1999 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
