But is is Right?

But is it Right?  2021 04 25

1Corinthians 10:23 – 33

 

Long before I became a pastor, when my little brother and I still had our shop, people would sometimes come in for a visit after hours when we were still trying to get things done.  Oftentimes, they brought beer.  Even then, I was a saved, Bible-believing Christian. Though I have never agreed with churches that promote the drinking of alcoholic beverages, I did not see the problem with having an occasional beer or glass of wine.  However, I was stopped in my tracks, one day, by a man who asked, upon finding out I was a Christian, if I wasn’t some kind of hypocrite, seeing as I was having a beer!  Whoa!  If he thought that, what was it doing to my witness?

 

1Corinthians 10:23 – 33

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient:  all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”  In other words, in context, I can eat or drink anything I like without technically breaking any law of God.  But is it right?  Is it going to harm someone else, make them stumble or worse, keep someone from salvation?  “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” 1Corinthians 8:13.  “I want to do this.  I can do this, legally.”  But is it right?

 

I Look Out for Others  vv 23,24

  1. If a non-Christian sees you doing something and thinks it is hypocritical, perhaps you shouldn’t be doing it. One great error many churches make, today, is trying to be more like the world to attract the world.  Studies show that when people think there’s no difference from the world in the church, they don’t find any reason for being interested in it.
    1. Are my choices for myself stealing someone else’ salvation?
    2. Christian, don’t be selfish. Look out for others.

           

II  Eat Any Food vv 25,26

  1. There is a dish prepared by the Tahltan people of northern BC, called “bumguts.” As you might guess from the name, it’s an animal’s intestinal tract.  It’s also very clean, very delicious and considered a real treat.  However, for those outside of the territory, the name and realization of what it is might stop many.  The reality is, they have eaten it there for centuries, and are quite healthy.  Never mind the name.  Properly prepared, it’s nutritious food.  But this is not what we’re talking about…
  2. In the context of our passage, the people of idolatrous Corinth are told to eat whatever they get from the butcher shop, not asking if it was offered to idols or not, and thereby avoiding the temptation to believe that it has any special significance or that there is anything wrong with it. God owns everything and has made all food good for us.
    1. In the application for our society, imagine you are at a non-Christian’s house eating desserts and enjoying some delicious chocolates, when someone comes along and tells you they are filled with alcohol and have a real kick. While it’s unlikely to have ANY effect on you unless you ate the whole tray, it’s now having an effect on their conscience.  1Thessalonians 5:22: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

 

III  Be Sensitive  vv27 – 30

  1. If you’re invited to a non-Christian’s house for a meal or a party, be careful and sensitive first and foremost to the eternal destination of those present.
    1. Don’t ask unnecessary questions that could cause them a problem with your participation.
    2. In our passage, the explicit question not to ask at the butcher’s shop was if the meat being sold was offered to an idol. If such a question was unasked, it would make no difference to what they thought of you, but if it was asked and the answer was yes, it would make a big difference if you purchased the meat anyway.  They would think you a hypocrite.
    3. If you go to an event at an unsaved person’s house, participate as your own conscience before God allows.
    4. However, if someone tells you something that could cause them a problem by your continued participation or maybe even your continued presence, stop, for their sake.
  2. Be sensitive of THEIR conscience, not yours.
    1. Why should your liberty be judged by another?
    2. Why, if you are under grace, does it matter what another thinks or says about you?
    3. It matters for their conscience, not yours. It is not enough that it is allowed for you; it might matter to their eternal destination.  Romans 12:17 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”  Appearances ARE important.  People are watching.  Souls are on the line.

 

IV Give Glory to God  v31

  1. Here, then, is the rule for Christians:
    1. Use the liberty you have in Christ toward things that the Bible does not forbid for the glory of God.
    2. Don’t be selfish. Think of how your actions are going to affect others.  Bring glory to God.  This is our primary purpose as Christians: “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”  Ephesians 1:12

 

V  Offend No One  v32

  1. Again, don’t offend anyone, no matter who they are, no matter whether they are saved or lost.
    1. This does not mean you shouldn’t share your faith for fear of offending someone! You should! Death without Christ is VERY offensive, and folks need to be warned.
    2. Don’t do anything that might keep someone from Christ or that might make a brother or sister in Christ stumble. Don’t even let the appearance of hypocrisy ever be on you.  Don’t exercise your freedom while keeping or putting someone else in chains.

 

VI  Seek for Salvation for Others  v33

  1. Follow the example of Paul the Apostle, a man specially called by the risen Lord Jesus Christ in person, and used by God as an evangelist, missionary, teacher, and writer of Scripture for our benefit.
    1. Let God take care of you and be satisfied. Don’t seek more for yourself, but more for many others, specifically, that they would be saved.
    2. Do all you can, even if it’s entirely at your own expense and even to your detriment, if there is a possibility that one more person will come to Christ. “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 

 

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”  2Corinthians 5:14,15

 

 

Conclusion

  1. Western Christianity has emphasized for many years now our great freedom in Christ, often to the point of making it appear that we can have it both ways. It appears that we can have Heaven in one hand and the world in the other, but that’s not what the Bible teaches.  Yes, we have tremendous freedom.  We can do anything we like, eat anything we want, drink anything we want, smoke anything we want and still go to heaven… But is it right?  Not if it gives offense, causes some to stumble, and causes others to miss salvation entirely.  Indeed, if we live like the world, there is a dangerous possibility that we are still part of the world and not Christ’s at all.
    1. A Christian was heard to say, “Praise God! Now that I’m saved, I can smoke, drink, gamble and fool around all I want!  But I don’t want to do any of those things!”
    2. Our desires changed when we were saved, not seeking our own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
  2. Think about the statement your life is making and how it affects others. Many things are lawful for you as a Christian, but is it right? Does it help other people grow?  Think about your life, right now.  How is the way you are living helping many others that they may be saved?  What is your witness saying about the Saviour?