8.16.12 "Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should"

"Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should"

Nehemiah 11:1-12:26
I Corinthians 10:15-11:2
Psalm 34:11-22
Proverbs 21:14 - 16

Today's portion of scripture is quite challenging. Paul is addressing the Corinthian church about eating food that has been sacrificed to idols. At the surface level, it's a bit hard for us to relate to this issue. In our culture we really don't have to worry about whether Pick 'n' Save sacrificed the cow to an idol before we purchase the T-Bone. But don't throw out this section of scripture, because there are some very important principles that need to be integrated into the life of a maturing Christian.

What is sin and what isn't? As Paul is addressing this issue he is addressing things in life that are "matters of conscience". In other words, what may be sin for one, may not be sin for another. This is not an easy topic to tackle, but bear with me on this.

If you read through these scriptures, it sounds like Paul is contradicting himself. In verse 18 he says, "Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?" (NIV) and yet in verse 25 he says, "Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience". In verse 27 he says, "If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience." and yet the very next verse: "But if anyone says to you, 'This has been offered in sacrifice,' then do not eat it".

So what's the point? How does this apply to our lives?

Paul answers this in verses 32-33 (TLB) "So don't be a stumbling block to anyone, whether they are Jews or Gentiles or Christians. That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do, not doing what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them, so that they may be saved."

It all comes back to living a life of purpose. There are people who really get hung up on some issues of legalism. They spend their time on "holiness patrol" making it their mission to point out things other Christians are doing that are questionable, and wanting to bring them judgment. There are others who could care less what others think about their actions, and live life loose and figure, "hey it's just between me and God, it doesn't make a difference what others think." Both of these are wrong. They are out of balance.

It comes back to the first line of Purpose Driven Life: "It's not about you."

Bring this home. What things in your life are questionable? What are you watching on TV? Where are you hanging out? What kind of language do you use? Do you use the Lord's name in vain in casual conversation?

Now by the nature of the questions, it sounds like I'm on "holiness patrol". Not at all. What I'm saying is: Does the way you live reflect your purpose? Are you "doing what I like or what is best for me"? or are you doing "what is best for them, so that they may be saved."

In all that we do we need to be conscious of the need for others to have a right relationship with the Lord. We could get into some great battles about which TV shows are sin, and if you're more holy with cable because you get TBN or without cable because you don't get MTV, or whether or not you should have a TV, or if you're sinning because you love Cheetos or whatever. That's not the point! The point is living a life of purpose. It's not just what you do. It's who you are.

We need to walk every step of every day with the "M" in mind. We are on a "Mission to Reach Our World for Christ". "Relationships Devoted to Unity" are also a major part in this discussion. What are the needs of those around you who don't know Christ, and what are the needs of those around you who do know Christ.

It's not about you.

Paul says in I Cor. 10:29 "In this case his feeling about it is the important thing, not yours. But why you may ask, must I be guided and limited by what someone else thinks?" in verse 31 he answers, "Well, I'll tell you why. It is because you must do everything for the glory of God, even your eating and drinking."

Don't forget your Mission today. Do everything for the glory of God so that others may be saved!



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Pastor Greg Lathe
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