Theological Commentary: Click Here
Having
looked at the chapter from yesterday, we come today to Paul’s
clarification. If we take yesterday’s
reading alone, it could easily lead us to think that we can do anything we are able
to justify so long as we don’t do it in the presence of people that it
offends. There is truth in that. So long as our actions are not truly rooted
in sin, then we are correct. God created
this world. That which is not sinful is
a part of God’s creation.
Here we find
the counterbalance to the easily overstated freedom of the last chapter. We must be in Christ. I don’t have the freedom to do anything I
want, I have the freedom to do anything that is in God and therefore not rooted
in sin.
To put it
another way, my perspective should be on bringing glory to God. Actions that bring myself or the people
around me into a closer relationship with God or a greater understanding of His
being are awesome! We have the freedom
to do anything that brings people closer to God. What we need to do, though, is recognize that
because of differences in people that there may be those who are offended by
our methods. Therefore, we have an
obligation to not offend others by our methods of helping people draw closer to
God.
For me, that
is one of the core ethics of life. God
has made me to be a certain way. Sin has
corrupted His creation, allowing me to do things that don’t please God. I first need to chase away sin and its
control as I seek God’s ways and His love.
As I do that, I should be careful to not offend others who are also pursuing
God.
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