"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak." 1 Corinthians 8:9
Carefulness and freedom are both appropriate as long as they are exercised with respect and appreciation of each other. Specifically, Paul is addressing the touchy issue of food sacrificed to idols. Not touchy today as much, but back then, it was a bone of contention. (pun intended)
Paul says that early believers should feel free to eat the meat of pagan sacrifices, even if it was offered to idols, after all, the idols weren’t real. But, he says, if it bothers you, don’t do it. And…… if it bothers someone else, don’t make them feel bad about that. These matters are choice and preference. Many of our choices and preferences aren’t ultimately important. What is important; is that we don’t make being a Christian impossible, or a stumbling block (something that would cause us to sin).
Somewhere between tripping people up and "enabling" them, we should be able to bless each other, respecting both freedom and limitations. Our liberty is never a license, and our personal rules cannot be forced upon everyone. This is a very important area of our lives that is easy to misapply and misuse. Even if you have a freedom, it cannot be stumbling block to others. Likewise, your limitations cannot be the law. Remember what the people of God in the times of the Judges believed…"Everyone did as he saw fit." We don’t want to be like that. We want to be careful and not flaunt our liberty or insist on our limitations. In essence, what would Jesus do?........or…….have us do? He would have us exercise caution. What about people who trip themselves up and claim we caused them to stumble? If you ask that question, you may believe your liberties or freedoms are rights. Do your rights make everybody wrong?
Some stuff to think about, but be careful.
In His grace,
Pastor Fred
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