Slices
Prepare
Pray: ‘Lord, give me “love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”’ (1 Timothy 1:5).
Bible passage
The believer’s freedom
23 ‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say – but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’– but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.’
27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, ‘This has been offered in sacrifice,’ then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
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 everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 11 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Explore
‘Please! Say yes!’ There are many dilemmas in bringing up children. Parents worry about whether they’re being too strict or too easy-going, too protective or too ‘pushy’.
Life often poses dilemmas for Christians who are commendably involved in the secular world. How far should they go in adopting the practices of those around them? What guiding principles does Paul give the Christians in Corinth? Not sharing in the world’s idolatry, obviously, as we saw yesterday (v 14). But, secondly, neither need they be over-scrupulous, actively searching out problems. ‘The earth is the Lord’s’ (vs 25–27), and he means us to enjoy it! A third guiding principle is the faith or conscience of others. Paul is, in effect, saying: if what I do causes other believers to stumble in their faith, then I will not do it, even though my own conscience would allow me to do it (vs 28,29a,32).
This is a far-reaching principle, and it summarises much of the last three chapters. It is putting others first, seeking to build up the faith of others rather than seeking my own advantage or pleasure (vs 24,33b). This was the principle that Paul and Jesus followed, and we are called to follow it too (11:1).
Respond
Has your conscience adjusted over time, allowing you more freedom in some areas and less in others? How do you react to someone whose Christian conscience is stricter (or more permissive) than yours?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 12,13; Proverbs 23,24
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the Youth Alpha course Mission Partner FACCTS in Fleet and Crookham are planning to run this term for children in secondary schools. Pray that many young people will come, enjoy the sessions and come to a genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
