I am doing #TestamentTuesday and sharing a scripture that stuck out to me today while I was reading in 1 Corinthians.
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Paul is speaking to those in Israel who were worshiping idols. However, the reason I needed to dig deeper is in a previous chapter (chapter 8), Paul mentions we should be careful so our freedoms do not cause baby Christians or lost Christians to stumble. Then in chapter 10 he says, “Why should I be limited” and I had to figure out what he was teaching because on the surface they appear to contradict each other.
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My finding:
If we are doing our Christian freedoms selfishly, doing only what we want, we can cause others to stumble who are watching our Christian walk. If they see us do things they value to be incorrect, they may completely disregard everything we say or do, and we stand no chance in helping them grow/develop or learn the truth.
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HOWEVER, if we do it for God and give God all the glory, giving Him thanks and enjoying His gifts, we should not feel condemned because we are a living example of the freedom those watching us can also partake in. Being an example to them by the way we live that they to can be set free. But we have to do it in ways that do not cause offense to others or the church. We should remain SELFLESS and do what is best for others, giving Glory to God, in all we do.
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So the lesson here:
If we are living for God, for His glory, doing His will, selflessly as a doer of His word, than we are not limited by what others think. We step into being the example of something greater! As we go out into the world we currently live in, with all the false teachings, new age movements etc…, remember to be selfless, not selfish. Live as an example of our authority and rights as Christians. Without boasting, without condemning, without judging. Be love, be the light, and when you succeed, give God the glory. Always turning the glory back to God when someone sees you do, say, or be something that stands out and is different than what they originally believe.
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…” For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks?”
~ 1 Corinthians 10:29 ~
