THE BELIEVER'S FREEDOM

Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Key verse: 10:31

NIV

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(A) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(B)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(C) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a](D)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(E) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(F) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(G) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(H)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(I) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(J) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(K)— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(L) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(M) so that they may be saved.(N) 11 1 Follow my example,(O) as I follow the example of Christ.(P)

Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Do All to the Glory of God

23 (A)“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 (B)Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 (C)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For (D)“the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, (E)eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean (F)your conscience, but his. For (G)why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that (H)for which I give thanks?

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or (I)whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (J)Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to (K)the church of God, 33 just as (L)I try to please everyone in everything I do, (M)not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

11 (N)Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Seek the good of others (10:23-30)

Jesus' people must put Jesus first, others next and self last. Jesus set us free from sin and law, but we must use our freedom to build up others. We must respect the consciences of our brothers and sisters. Some may object to being bound by the conscience of another, but Paul challenges us to be responsible for our influence on others. Jesus said that it would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around one's neck than to cause another person to sin (Mk 9:42). For the sake of others we can give up freedom to enjoy small pleasures.

2. Seek to glorify God (10:31-11:1)

Whatever we do, we should do for the glory of God. We should measure what we do- our eating and drinking, going and coming, speaking and remaining silent by one yardstick: 'Does it glorify God?' If we seek the highest good of others so that they may be saved and grow in Christ, this pleases God. We must follow the example of Paul, who followed Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help me to put you first, others next and myself last.

One Word: The glory of God; the good of others