December 20
1 Corinthians 8: 9: But take heed lest by any
means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge
sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak
be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11: And through
thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12: But when
ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against
Christ.
Mature believers, have knowledge of our
liberty from ordinances. Our life is Christ.
(Rom 10: 4; 14: 17) We are not bound by old covenant law, vain
traditions or commandments of men in any way. If men insist we observe those
things we are to never let them bring us into subjection to them. (Col 2: 14,
16-17, 20-22) Also, we know an idol is nothing. Men may call something a god
but it does not make it God. Our triune God in the Lord Jesus Christ is the
only God. (1 Cor 8: 4-6; Col 2: 9; Is 9:6) True believers are of him, by him and
in him. We are in him as our covenant God, in him by everlasting love, in him
by inseparable union, chosen by him, redeemed by him, reconciled by him, called
by him, justified by him, preserved by him, kept by him, resurrected by him and
glorified by him. Therefore, to us, an idol, their days, ceremonies, and
offerings is nothing at all.
Still, not all believers have this
knowledge. (2 Cor 8: 7; Rom 14: 14, 20, 23) Their conscience, being weak, is
easily wounded. We would that every
believer fully understood that sin is not in things. Meat, drink and days do
not make us better or worse. (2 Cor 8: 8) Christ alone commends us to God.
Believers are complete in Christ at God’s right hand and that will never
change. (Gal 6: 15) If we could we would turn our weak brethren from having
their minds occupied with indifferent things and set their hearts on Christ
above! (Heb 13: 8-9; Col 3: 1-4) But only their own Master can increase their
faith. (Rom 14: 4)
So what is a mature believer to do
with his liberty before his weak brethren? God-given knowledge, together with
God-given love, makes mature believers wise to not insist on our own way over things
indifferent. (Ja 3: 13-18) Our personal
gratification is not worth leading a weak believer, for whom Christ died, to do
anything that wounds his conscience, making him feel he has sinned against his
Redeemer. We are so united with Christ that to do so to our brethren is to do
so to Christ himself. Also, remember, just because he may be weak does not mean
he is not a believer; receive him without doubting. (Rom 14: 1-2) Neither,
despise or judge one another. (Rom 14: 3) Instead, wait on the Lord Jesus to
fully persuade each believer in his own mind. (Rom 14: 5-6) If men draw a line
on such matters, insisting we oppose our weaker brethren, we must never require
a certain level of knowledge be put between a believer and Christ. Remember how
merciful Christ is toward us despite our own infirmities, ignorance and
unbelief, even now. It will help us be more willing to bear the infirmities of
our weak brethren, to seek their edification, rather than pleasing ourselves. (Ja
3: 13-18; Rom 15: 1-3)