The Way - Day 072 (1 Corinthians 10)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
1 Corinthians 10
Paul had written to the church at Corinth regarding many issues such as disunity (1 Corinthians 1-4), immorality (1 Corinthians 5-6), marriage (1 Corinthians 7), and personal freedom (1 Corinthians 8-9).  These issues had been plaguing the church causing them to remain immature in their faith.  His letter served as a rebuke and a reminder about the importance of biblical thinking and behavior.  Paul had spent a great deal of time addressing the issue of personal freedom because the Jews and Gentiles had some misunderstandings concerning it.  Personal freedom in Christ was not meant to provide a license to sin and conduct their lives in a disobedient manner.  Just because Jesus had given them forgiveness of sin did not mean they could abuse their freedom in Christ; in fact, forgiveness of sin released them from being in bondage to sin.  Paul illustrated this principle by drawing their attention to the ancient Israelites.  God had mightily delivered the children of Israel from their bondage to the Egyptians.  They had "all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ" (10:1-4).  Although God had freed them from bondage, "with most of them God was not well pleased..." (10:5). Their continual disobedience led to God's  judgment and Paul warned the Corinthians to heed their example by not allowing freedom to be swallowed up in disobedience (10:6-11).  In case the Corinthian believers thought they were immune to the same judgment as the Israelites, Paul wrote "let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (10:12).  Even though every follower of Christ is tempted to question the plan of God and return to a disobedient lifestyle, Paul encourages them to obedience saying, "...God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (10:13).  Paul did not desire the Corinthian Christians to return to their old lifestyle, so he alerted them to the impossibility of serving God and idols (10:14-22).  They had to choose one or the other.  Obedience to God meant forsaking idols and worshiping idols meant disobedience to God.

In conclusion to this issue, Paul provided some guiding principles which would help the Corinthian church make wise decisions concerning their personal freedom.  First, when making a decision about personal freedom, one should consider it's effect on others (10:23-24).  If my personal freedom endangers someone else of falling back into a sinful lifestyle, I must give up my right.  Secondly, I must learn not to feel guilty about participating in things that have no bearing on my spirituality (10:25-26).  There are some things in life that are neutral and God gives an individual the right to choose.  Last, I must not be judgmental, but careful (10:27-30).  If you are confronted with a neutral issue, especially as it relates to an unbeliever, you should not offend him (10:27); however, if a weaker conscience believer is present with you, you should be sensitive to his offense (10:28-33).

Dear God, may I live my life in obedience to You and remain sensitive to those around me.