1 Corinthians 10:23-24
23 “Everything is permissible”-but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”-but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
This portion of scripture is one of those that the actual application of the teaching applies to a cultural situation that was unique to that time in history and the recipients of the letter, the believers in the city at Corinth. I do not think that any of us would ever be confronted with a situation where we would be offered food to eat that has “been offered in sacrifice” to an idol. So is what the Apostle Paul teaching in this portion valid for us today? Do we get our black marker pens and blacken out this portion in our Bibles because the exact situation does not apply to today? I hope not. There are very important spiritual principals that we need to have as part of our daily lives in Christ. The truth is many ignore these in the name of what they would label as “their personal freedom”.
What are the things that are in our lives of which we think are permissible or okay for us to do, but as Paul states it, a) are not beneficial, or b) are not constructive, and c) we are considering our selves and not others? Some might answer; “what I do is my own business, who are you to judge me? Anyway doesn’t the Bible say, ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged.’”?
It is not a matter of judging but expecting the church which is you and me, to live up to the standards and culture of the of God’s Kingdom and not of this world. Romans 12:2, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Are we living with things in our lives that are patterns “of this world”? We might be able to justify to ourselves that those things are “permissible”, “that other Christians do them”.
We need to ask, do the things that we might think as permissible, do they really please the Lord? Ephesians 5:8 – 11, 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
I really like how Paul ends this paragraph.
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 11 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Is what I consider or would like to be considered as “permissible” glorifying God? When other people see me doing and or participating with others what I consider as “permissible” is it bringing glory to God? How do others think about God in my life when they see me doing and or participating in these things that we do which we consider “permissible”. Would the things that I consider “permissible” that I do and or are even a part of my lifestyle; would they cause another to “stumble”? Can we say to others especially those who do not know Christ, as Paul did here; “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” My prayer is that we all strive for this level of relationship and maturity in our lives.
Pastor John
