Paul

December 2

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Real freedom

The believers in Corinth were surrounded by people who lived in sin and did as they pleased. Paul wrote this letter to help them understand that their freedom in Christ did not mean they could do whatever they wished to do.

“Although some may say that it is okay to do anything you want—not everything is good and helpful,” Paul said. “Think of those who may fall into sin because of something you are doing. For example, God made all sorts of food for us to enjoy, yet there are those who feel that it is wrong to eat meat that has been offered to idols. You, on the other hand, may think it is okay to eat it, and ask, ‘Why should I have less freedom because of what other people believe?’

But let me tell you this: respect the other person’s conscience; and whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do everything for God’s glory.”

Am I free to do anything?

When Jesus died for us, He bought us with His blood and freed us from being slaves of the devil. And because the devil is no longer our master, he no longer controls us!

We now willingly serve the Lord because we love Him with the love He put in our hearts. We, who belong to Christ, need not fear punishment for our sin, because through Jesus Christ, the Spirit of life has set us free from sin and death (see Romans 8:1-2). And so, we no longer keep God’s rules because we are afraid of being punished, but we do what is right because we want to please God and because we want to avoid doing something that would make someone’s faith weak.

Jesus did not set us free to selfishly do whatever we want; but rather, He has given us real freedom—freedom from the hold that sin has on our lives, and freedom to decide how to live in order to make a difference for His kingdom.

Verse for today

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Galatians 5:1a