1 Corinthians 10:23-26
1Co 10:23 “I am allowed to do anything,” but not everything is profitable. “I am allowed to do anything,” but not everything contributes positively.
1Co 10:24 No one should search for what he prefers, but search for what the other person prefers.
1Co 10:25 Eat anything sold in the market as long as there is no question in your own conscience,
1Co 10:26 because the land and all it contains belongs to the Lord.
freedom and conscience (part 1)
There is a faction within the churches of Corinth advocating total freedom for Christians to do anything they want. The particular question (of eating meat that had been dedicated to a false god before it was sold) was a case in point for them. They argued that the meat was perfectly okay to eat. Paul said that they were right — in principle. Everything the land contains belongs to the one God who created it. So, everyone is free to eat that meat. But there are two things anyone has to think about before chowing down. First, how do you really feel about that meat. Is it something you really want to eat? Second, what about the people around you? How will exercising your freedom affect them?
LORD, teach us to be considerate of and thoughtful in everything we do.
(More on this subject tomorrow)
