Scripture:
1 Corinthians 8:9-13 ESV
[9] But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. [10] For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? [11] And so by your knowledge, this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. [12] Thus, 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.
Observation:
The letters to the Corinthians were written to guide the church of Corinth into living in a manner that would bring glory to the heavenly Father. The church was experiencing a lot of dysfunction. From sexual immorality and division between believers to eating meat offered to idols. Paul had been made aware of these issues and wanted to do all he could to get them on the right track. After dealing with some of the more pressing issues such as a young man who was sleeping with his stepmother, and lawsuits amongst people inside the church, it was time to deal with eating meat offered to idols. It was an issue that seemed to be causing a problem. There were people who were selling meat in the marketplace that had been offered to idols. Members of the church were buying it and eating it. Other members of the church considered this a sin. Therefore, the liberty of one was not only causing more division but may have been leading another to believe it was ok to eat that meat when they otherwise might have thought it was not. Therefore, violating their conscience and bringing them to a point of guilt later. This is what Paul was dealing with in chapter 8. I believe that verse 9 sets the tone for the point that Paul is teaching the Corinthians. What does it really come down to? Well, that’s simple… those whom the son sets free are free indeed. However, some of the church thought eating this meat was a sin, so those who were eating it were leading others into what they thought was a sin. Therefore, being them to a point of guilt, and that’s where the problem was. Those who had influence in the church and understood the liberty that was given had a clear conscience in their choices to eat this meat. However, the sin that came from that liberty was causing someone else to violate their conscience. So, the liberty was a stumbling block for those who thought what they were doing was a sin. Paul wanted the church to see how important it was to use the influence in the right way…to lead people in the right direction. He was willing to lay down his liberty for the sake of someone else’s conscience to be clear of guilt.
Application:
From the beginning, the enemy, also known as the father of lies, has been using guilt shame, and fear to keep people bound in sin. The grace of GOD has come to set us free from those things. Living for the kingdom and being involved with the church gives us a measure of influence. As soon as you say that you follow Jesus Christ people will look at the way you conduct yourself. Some will consider the way you live to be what the bible says about how you should live and, therefore, start living the way you do. Influence is either a really good thing or a really bad thing. It honestly comes down to how you use it. So let me tell you how it has played out in my life. I have been saved for about 14 years now, and honestly, I know when I stand before the Almighty. All I’m going to be able to say is I’m here because of Jesus. However, I remember sitting in a trap house getting high preaching Jesus. I knew HE had saved me, and HIS grace was more than enough. But I was not leading in a manner worthy of the calling that HE had placed on my life. I don’t know how many people were led in the wrong direction by my behavior, and honestly, I feel like that’s what the bible means by let’s not take the name of the LORD in vain. Saying you follow Christ and live in a manner that denies the power of grace. Once we make the commitment to follow HIM, we have to realize that we influence others. How are we using that influence? I want you to honestly think about how you live. Yes, you have been given liberty. That is not the question… The question is, do you use that liberty to help others live with a clear conscience or to pile on the guilt? Please don’t get me wrong… it’s never ok to sit in a trap house getting high and preaching Jesus. It does more damage to the kingdom than you could ever imagine, and I’m sure when I’m standing before the Almighty, that’s not going to be an easy moment to watch or explain for that matter. The deeper part of all this is… you may be the only bible that someone reads. If that’s the case, what does your life say about what it means to live for Jesus? Are you using the influence GOD gives you to build the kingdom or tear it down? What you do and how you live makes a statement about the power that Jesus has in your life. You have either been set free from the bondage of sin guilt shame and fear or not…using your influence to lead people to the kingdom is the key to why you have been given that influence don’t be a stumbling block. Let your life be a stepping stone. Use it to teach the right things. Live in a manner that is above reproach. Repent and move forward. If you have been doing something that others may consider a sin… stop even if you think it’s OK… you are leading others, and you are leading them one way or another. It’s your choice. But I want you to keep this in mind. The Bible says it’s better to have a millstone tied around your neck and thrown into the pond than to lead someone into sin. I don’t know if you have ever tried to swim with a huge rock the size of a car tied around your neck, but I’m going to just assume it’s not easy.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you waste nothing. All our mistakes will be used for your glory. You tell us that in the book of Romans Character 8 and verse 28. We thank you for your grace and mercy. What we ask you today is that we truly understand the liberty that you have given us and that we use the influence you have given us to build your kingdom. Our lives are not our own. We freely gave them to you. Help us to see what that means. We say we love you, so let our actions reflect that. No greater love is there than for us to lay down our lives for our brothers we want to be used by you to build your kingdom that’s our goal. Help us lead us to teach us to do so in the mighty name of Jesus. I pray, amen.