God of unlimited resources, bless the needs in the life of this dear reader in whatever way blesses You; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (Key verses) 9 But God does care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a Christian still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track. 10 For instance, say you flaunt your freedom by going to a banquet thrown in honor of idols, where the main course is meat sacrificed to idols. Isn't there great danger if someone still struggling over this issue, someone who looks up to you as knowledgeable and mature, sees you go into that banquet? The danger is that he will become terribly confused - maybe even to the point of getting mixed up himself in what his conscience tells him is wrong. 11 Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn't you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him - because, as you say, it doesn't really make any difference? But it does make a difference if you hurt your friend terribly, risking his eternal ruin! 12 When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ. A free meal here and there isn't worth it at the cost of even one of these "weak ones." 13 So, never go to these idol-tainted meals if there's any chance it will trip up one of your brothers or sisters. (The Message)
We as Christians enjoy great freedoms. We are free from sin. We are free from death. We have and enjoy these freedoms because of the great price that God paid through Jesus, God's Son, on the cross. We are also responsible for how we live our lives as a positive influence on the lives of others. In Paul's day, the threat to baby Christians was the whole issue of what is considered right in living the Christian life in the midst of a culture where most everyone else was not a Christian but believed in the worship of the day. That worship was the worship of idols. Most merchants of the day either worshiped idols or provided the meat for the worship of them. The issue was, can we eat meat that has been offered in the worship of idols? Paul knows that there was nothing to idol worship. Paul knew and believed in the one, true God, as do we, so to eat meat offered to nothing was no big deal for him, yet, he knew it could be for someone just pulled out of idol worship. Paul urges believers to live lives that reinforce the faith rather than placing new Christians in positions of confusion and doubt. Never "trip up one of your brothers or sisters," Paul says in verse 13.
We too, have freedoms to make our choices on how we will live. We may choose to enjoy our freedom in ways that may confuse or cause doubt in the lives of new Christians. Paul asks if that is worth it in the long run. I know you know the answer to that, so why risk it? Ours is to reach new people, help them become believers and then disciples; all for the transformation of the world. Is your world already transformed, or does it look just like everyone else's?
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to understand my responsibility to You and Yours in the living of my life. May the choices I make be those which help build up Your Kingdom. Forgive me those times that I have placed myself first and cared nothing for someone else. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
