**Recording failure!** We were able to close out 1 Corinthians 8 today! The last 5 verses are very straight forward concerning our liberty in Christ. In verses 9-10 we are reminded to be careful how we use our liberty in Christ. We must be careful not to allow our freedom as a citizen to overstep our liberty in Christ. Liberty is best explained as “the freedom to do what is right.” Just because we could doesn’t mean we should!
1 Corinthians 10:23 — All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Galatians 5:1 & 13 — Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
The only outward proof we have to the world that Christ is real is found in his command to us in John 13:34-35 — A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
The last 3 verses give us a stark warning that when we misuse our liberty in Christ, the weaker brother is torn down rather than built up. Romans 14:1-17 is the companion passage that gives meat to the bones of verses 11-13. Please take a few moments and read them to get the full picture of our responsibility to the weaker or less mature brother or sister in Christ. All of chapter 8 reminds us that our liberty in Christ boils down to our personal responsibility. Christian fellowship carries great responsibility: to lay down your own life (personal rights) for your friends.
John 15:13 — Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 12:1-2 — I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Forfeiting things you consider perfectly legitimate in order that your friends may be drawn to Christ, or grow in Christ is the goal of the selfless life. What is safe for one may not be safe for another. No one has the right to indulge in a pleasure, or demand a liberty that may be the ruination of someone else.