Christian Freedom for the Glory of God

Studies in 1 Corinthians Series [24]1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

November 30, 2014Pastor Paul K. Kim

AN ISSUE OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM: WHAT TO DO FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS

• [1 Cor. 8:1-13] A general principle: “Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.”

• [1 Cor. 9:1-27] A personal example: “Like me, give up your rights for the sake of the gospel.”

• [1 Cor. 10:1-22] A historical example: “Like the Israelites, if you think that you stand, take heed lest you fall—therefore, flee from idolatry.”

• [1 Cor. 10:23-11:1] Practical Conclusions: “Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.”

WHAT CONCLUDING PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM DOES PAUL GIVE?

PRINCIPLE #1: In exercising your freedom, discern whether it is beneficial and edifying.

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful.

“All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. (v. 23)

“All things are lawful” might have been from Paul’s teaching but it became a saying that was used without the context.

Yes, in one sense, Christians are not under the Law so all things are permissible; but the question should not be, “Is it lawful?”

The discerning question is “Is it helpful for my life in Christ?” and “Does it build others?”

We are to be ready to exercise our freedom to NOT do it.

WHAT CONCLUDING PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM DOES PAUL GIVE?

PRINCIPLE #2: In exercising your freedom, seek the good of others, as you enjoy your freedom unassumingly.

24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any

question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord's,

and the fullness thereof.”  27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner

and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising

any question on the ground of conscience. (vs. 24-27)

WHAT CONCLUDING PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM DOES PAUL GIVE?

PRINCIPLE #2: In exercising your freedom, seek the good of others, as you enjoy your freedom unassumingly.

28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,”

then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for

the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For 

why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?

 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? (vs. 28-30)

The proactive aim ought to be the LOVE principle: “How can I seek the good of others before mine?”

We are to enjoy our freedom without over-analyzing or over-spiritualizing it (e.g., like in these situations, vs. 25-27).

We are to be in the healthy tension between the two extreme poles of legalism and antinomianism (license to do whatever).

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. 1 Corinthians 8:11-13

1  For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore,

and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul,

say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no

advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts

circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

Galatians 5:1-3

WHAT CONCLUDING PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM DOES PAUL GIVE?

PRINCIPLE #3: In exercising your freedom, do all to the glory of God.

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or

to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage,

but that of many, that they may be saved. (vs. 31-33)

The OVERARCHING PRINCIPLE in all this is to do all for the glory of God—this is the chief end of all people!

This principle is twofold: (1) loving God by glorifying the LORD and (2) loving our neighbor (seek their best—i.e., salvation).

There is no compartments in the God-glorifying life that Christ desires for us—in every aspect and every act to God’s glory!

WHAT CONCLUDING PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM DOES PAUL GIVE?

PRINCIPLE #4: In exercising your freedom, follow the example of Christ.

1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (11:1)

 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction,

with the joy of the Holy Spirit.1 Thessalonians 1:6

Paul’s ultimate conclusion for the question regarding Christian freedom is this: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ!”

Paul not only taught the principles but lived them out as he closely followed the example of Christ.

We are to do the same: Follow Christ so others can follow our examples for a God-glorifying and neighbor-loving life!

• Do All to the Glory of God!• One of the greatest hindrances to internal peace which the Christian

encounters is the common habit of dividing our lives into two areas, the sacred and the secular... This is the old sacred-secular antithesis. Most Christians are caught in its trap. They cannot get a satisfactory adjustment between the claims of the two worlds. They try to walk the tight rope between two kingdoms and they find no peace in either. Their strength is reduced, their outlook confused and their joy taken from them. I believe this state of affairs to be wholly unnecessary. We have gotten ourselves on the horns of a dilemma, true enough, but the dilemma is not real... Paul's exhortation to "do all to the glory of God" is more than pious idealism. It is an integral part of the sacred revelation and is to be accepted as the very Word of Truth. It opens before us the possibility of making every act of our lives contribute to the glory of God. Lest we should be too timid to include everything, Paul mentions specifically eating and drinking. This humble privilege we share with the beasts that perish. If these lowly animal acts can be so performed as to honor God, then it becomes difficult to conceive of one that cannot.

• — A. W. Tozer

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE

1. In what ways are you more convinced of your own need for practicing the principles of your Christian freedom in non-essentials?

2. What would it mean for you to seek the good of others in practicing your freedom? What is your first step?

3. What would it mean for you to do all to the glory of God? What is your first step?