Freedom and Behavior

Yesterday I started a reflection on Paul's directions about the issue of eating meat sacrificed to idols. I was a bit surprised at the direction of the Lord - to lead me to those passages, but as I reflected, I saw the thematic connection to some of the things I have been working through personally.  Here are my notes - Sam

I am reflecting on some interesting verses from Paul concerning the eating of meat sacrificed to Idols, and such.  This section follows his discussion on marriage, singleness and devotion to the Lord, so He is providing guidance to the Church in Corinth around several topics.  Here are a few verses - 1 Corinthians 8:1-3,9-13 NIV:

[1] "Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. [2] Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. [3] But whoever loves God is known by God."

[9] "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. [10] For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol's temple, won't that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? [11] So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. [12] When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. [13] Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall."

The theme and specific discussion is around eating food sacrificed to idols, but this idea is often applied to other areas of life.  The question in my mind is if that is correct, applying this logic to other areas, and if so, how to bind the edges of this to make it understandable and applicable in one's life?  The logic is relatively simple - if we are mature in our understanding about something (like the inability for food to defile us) but a 'young' believer could see us doing that which we are free to do, but that for them is sin, we should not do it.  In other words, this is dying to one's-self for the sake of those who are weaker, or newer, or sensitive or tempted in a particular area.  This sounds good, and if chosen in love and maturity would be good, I think.

The question is how to know what things and what people might be tempted to fall into sin.  Where do we draw a line in behavior and not become religious?  Can we draw a line and not become religious??  Can we identify certain things that are universally on the edge, or is it all things that might cause people to sin??  Common things in certain religious circles that have been identified as creating the likelihood of sin have been drinking alcohol, gambling, playing cards, dancing, listening to certain music, wearing certain styles of clothes, smoking, swearing, going to certain types of establishments (bars), watching certain types of movies, reading certain types of  books, etc.  The list could be quite long, and I believe that most of these come from applying this logic and making general rules for behavior.  The issue is that these rules become the subject of religious zeal, and get warped into judgment towards those that 'break' the rules.  This zeal generates a judgmental attitude towards those that "break" the rules, by those who see themselves as not breaking the rules.  I don't believe that is in line with what Paul intended here, nor is it line with Jesus' comments about judgment - as follows in Matthew 7:1-5 NIV:

[1] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. [2] For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

[3] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

It is interesting to note here, that Paul follows verses 1-3 by basically saying this eating of meat sacrificed to idols is not sin.  This is in line with Jesus' statement as well concerning eating food - Matthew 15:10-11 NIV:  "Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. [11] What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”  So we must not lose sight of the fact that, at least concerning the eating of meat sacrificed to idols, this is not a sin.  I think we could also say that many of the other things on the list above, are NOT always sinful, especially for a mature believer.

The other part of this that is an unintended consequence ( I think) is that this type of rule and judgment then becomes a barrier to reaching people who do these things, for the requirement creates a blockade of judgment.  We cannot do these things, nor even be seen as possibly associated with these things, and thus any possible affiliation must be rejected, otherwise it might look like we are condoning these clearly possibly 'sinful' behaviors!  The question is whether this blockade mentality is in line with the revelation of Jesus towards 'sinners'?   Jesus specifically discusses His fellowship with "sinners" when questioned by the Pharisees (The guardians of religion in His day) in Matthew 9:10-13 NIV:

[10] "While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

[12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Thus, if we generally apply Jesus' words here to what I think is the unintended consequence of this logic (stated above), we find that Jesus is not in agreement with the general rule about avoiding sinners, and their habitations, and practices.  In fact, those are the very people He was sent to!  If we are to continue His ministry, so are we sent to the same!  Jesus clearly didn't have a problem with hanging out with sinners, nor should we.

So, how do we correctly apply the encouragement of Paul to our lives, to not become a stumbling block to those who are 'weaker' in their faith?  I think the key has to do with his first statement, knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.  Our behavior should be bounded by love!  Who are we called to love?  How are we called to love?  Jesus makes this quite clear in John 13:34 NIV: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  We are called to love one another, and this must include the sinner (as we see Jesus speaking  of earlier).  We are called to love as He loved!  He demonstrated a pure walk, sinless in all things, and yet He hung out with sinners, and probably even drank alcohol, for later He talks about how some have labeled Him a drunkard (See Matt 11:19).  The point is that Jesus was able to interact with sinners without causing others to sin (for that would be included in a definition of a blameless or sinless life).

I believe that the key we need, is relationship with the Holy Spirit to guide us, and relationship with those that are weak in their faith.  Relationship requires communication!  It is so easy to pass judgment on someone without ever understanding the reason they are doing what they are doing!  I know that there are those that are called by the Lord to specifically minister to those that we would consider sinners.  They frequent the places these sinners frequent to establish relationships of trust, mercy and kindness.  It is through these relationships that they are then able to invite them into relationship with Christ Jesus, who is savior for us all.  Some are called to gamblers, some to those addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex-workers, gang-members, and all sorts of "sinners".  I know that we are all called to love one another, to love our neighbors, to be a witness to the love of Christ to all those around us, and those we encounter.

So today, I am encouraged to love, to not pass judgment, to extend mercy, to create relationships that can lead to the Lord!  I am encouraged to look at my life, at my behavior and at my responsibility as a mature believer, towards those that are new in the faith.  I am encouraged to build relationships of trust and transparency, where deep topics can be discussed and there is grace for the Lord to work in each life, as He wills.  I am encouraged to look to the Holy Spirit, to guide and direct my steps, my interactions and my conversations.  I am encouraged that "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Gal 5:1 NIV)  In this case, the yoke of slavery that Paul was talking about was the Law, and a works and rule based religion.  Thank You Lord for the Freedom that You won for us!