Day 324

By
Liberty in the One and Only God!

Scripture

November 19—1 Corinthians 7-10: Debates in the Church

Observation

Chapters 1-6 deal with reports Paul received about disorderly conduct in the Corinthian church. Beginning with chapter 7 he moves on to offer replies to specific questions regarding marriage, meat offered to idols and making a living from the gospel ministry. Paul draws upon Old Testament passages, the teaching of Christ and his own apostolic authority to set forth principles for the proper use of Christian liberty. Then he warns the Corinthians about complaining against God as the Israelites did in the wilderness, encouraging them instead to "do everything for the glory of God" (10:31).

Application

Next time you are in your favorite supermarket, ask the butcher, "Where do you get your meat?" Now imagine if he told you, "It comes from a voodoo slaughterhouse!" Would that cause you to change supermarkets? Would you give up eating barbecued steak? Or would you conclude, "There is only one God, the god I serve, and therefore it is meaningless if the meat has been 'offered to spirits before I buy it and eat it"?

To make the situation even more complex, imagine that your next-door neighbor is recently converted from a voodoo background. Now how do you respond to the steak-in-the-supermarket issue? Chances are good you will never face the fictitious situation described above. But chances are just as good you will need to decide frequently—even daily—about the use of your Christian liberty. And when you do, Paul's two guidelines will serve you well:
  1. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should (10:23).
  2. It it doesn't glorify God, it didn't come from God (10:31).

Prayer

God, our prayer today is for all the missionaries out in the field spreading your Word. Our mission is to be praying people to convert prayerless, heathen people into praying people. We know that prayer can help people fulfill their calling, their divine credentials and their work. We are asking for your help to bless them and keep them and grant them your peace. We pray this in our Savior, Jesus' name! Amen! 

Mission Accomplished!



© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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