Daily Devotional

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

-We Can Do It, But Should We?

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”

(1 Corinthians 10:23-24).

The Apostle Paul had to deal with some difficult issues in his letters to the Corinthians, one of which greatly affected the early church: should one eat meat sacrificed to idols? There was liberty to do it, but it could have a negative affect on other believers. Paul addressed this controversy also in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10, as well as in Romans 14, in Galatians 5, and in Colossians 2. There were other issues of the day, but this one seemed to be the most important.

Paul is saying that we have freedom to do certain things, that in and of themselves are not wrong, but can be wrong if they harm or stumble others. Christian liberty goes as far as Christian love. We never want to stumble or hinder a brother or sister in Christ for whom Christ died. Paul wrote in Romans 14:14, “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”

Nowadays, there is the controversy over drinking wine. It is lawful but not always helpful or edifying. It can stumble a young Christian who may see us drinking wine and think it is okay for them too and lead to terrible results. Our consideration when deciding to do something or not, is not just is it right or wrong but does it glorify the Lord and will others be helped, edified, and encouraged. If we can’t answer yes to all these things, we shouldn’t do it.

The law of love always trumps the law of liberty. During the new stages of the pandemic we have the issue of whether to wear masks or not and whether to be vaccinated or not. This controversy has even affected churches. Many have changed the discussion from medical considerations to civil liberty or political ones. Love and what is best for others should always rule the day.

So, to answer the question of the day, we can do it, but should we? The answer is often no if by doing it, it stumbles a weak or sensitive brother or sister. Paul concluded in 1 Corinthians 8:13, “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” There are choices we make every day, and there are times when we must sacrifice our personal liberty in order to be a blessing to others. If it is something questionable, we shouldn’t do it. It is always better to refrain than to cause another pain.

Have a blessed day living by the law of love in all we do and say and not letting our liberty stumble others. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean