“But beware
lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are
weak.” (v.9)
Here in
chapter 8 Paul speaks about a situation concerning eating meat offered to idols.
Paul felt he had a perfect freedom to eat meat offered to idols. He knew that
there was only one true God and that idols were nothing. Eating meat offered to
them was neither right nor wrong. But not all believers felt that way. So Paul's conclusion on the matter was, "If eating meat makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat" (v.13).
Today, many
Christian believers feel as indifferent on the subject of alcohol, even though
scripture does not forbid drinking. As Christians, we are free in Christ—free
to engage in social practices and customs, as Jesus did, not specifically
forbidden by biblical commands. And yet,
the Holy Spirit may prompt us to refrain from some legitimate practices in certain
situations or altogether. At that moment, the principle of love must take
precedence over the principle of liberty. A mature Christian will then heed to
the Spirit and not exercise his liberty to keep a weaker believer from
stumbling.
Paul is not saying in this passage that we should be bound by the conscience of every person we come in contact with. He is challenging certain Corinthians’ behavior of flaunting their freedoms causing weaker brothers to sin. Therein lies our responsibility as well – love over liberty.
Paul is not saying in this passage that we should be bound by the conscience of every person we come in contact with. He is challenging certain Corinthians’ behavior of flaunting their freedoms causing weaker brothers to sin. Therein lies our responsibility as well – love over liberty.
The Truth
“Therefore
let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a
stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)
