daily bible readings

But I Have Rights!

Thursday June 18, 2020

Read  1 Corinthians 8:9-13.

Freedom in Christ Jesus is a wonderful thing. As Paul declares to the Galatians in 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” In Christ Jesus we are free. But, this freedom is not an excuse to live as we please. It is not an excuse to indulge our appetites.

As Paul deals with issues of freedom in regard to food offered to idols, he states the freedom principle very clearly. “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9. Any action that causes offense or stumbling to a fellow Christian is not to be undertaken.

Paul is not an ivory tower scholar throwing his apostolic weight around. He is a humble believer with God-given apostolic authority who genuinely loves the believers and works for their edification. In verse 13, Paul declares, “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.”

The principle has been stated by Paul but we have to modify what has already been said. The principle stands as “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9. But, perhaps we need to add to this principle, in the light of verse 13, that “We need to be ready and willing to forgo our rights and freedoms for the edification of others in the church.”

In a world that is obsessed with one’s rights and aloof to responsibilities, such a call is particularly distressing and difficult. But, the model is clearly given to us by Christ Jesus who, according to Romans 15:3, did not seek to please himself. Paul also models this for us throughout his life. He can boldly declare in 1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1, “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. 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

In fact, throughout the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul shows how his entire life is about denying his rights for the blessing and edification of others. Imagine how the church would blossom and thrive if each and every single believer took up this mandate to live to please others - both Christians and non Christians. Image with me how different the church would be if our goal was to live in a way to draw non-believers into the faith (becoming all things to all men, so as to win them to Christ Jesus) and to build up those in the faith to be more like Christ Jesus. Imagine what impact the church could have in the local community if each believer in the church lived as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, seeking to deny themselves, take up their cross and to follow Jesus.

 In fact, Dr Luke describes what it might be like for us as he recounts the history of the early church in Acts 2:42–47. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

If Christians together commit to living like Jesus’ lived,  or like Paul lived and encouraged all believers to live, we might just see God powerfully at work, adding daily to the number being saved. How wonderful would that be?

Discussion Questions

1. Explain the principle Paul is espousing in today’s verses.

2. In what areas might this principle apply in church’s today?

3. What are the implications of verse 12 today?

Prayer:

Adoration:

· Adore our Lord and Saviour that He modelled selfless, sacrificial love for us.

Confession:

· Take time to confess your sins to the Lord and to ask for forgiveness

Thanks:

· Thank God that He has given you everything you need for life and godliness so that you can live a life worthy of your calling.

Supplication:

· Pray that each and every single person in your church would be challenged to reconsider their rights and responsibilities and that they would choose willingly and joyfully to live as God calls us to in these passages.