Proper Use Of Christian Liberty

– First Corinthians Nine –

 

   The matters under discussion in First Corinthians chapter nine are a continuation of the principles governing the eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Some brethren at Corinth thought it was wrong to eat meat sacrificed to idols while others believed that it was perfectly acceptable with God to do so. Some were certain that the meat offered to idols was somehow contaminated by the pagan gods. Others believed that the meat was not contaminated at all because an idol is nothing. They knew that there was only one true and living God. These brethren had become so proud of their knowledge that they were very unloving in action toward the weaker brethren.

 

   Paul was certain that the strong brother had the freedom or right to eat the meat. He was just as certain that the knowledgeable brother must practice love and abstain from anything that would cause a weak brother to stumble. Christian liberty cannot provide a reason to act unloving. Paul used himself as an example of this principle. As an apostle he had certain rights. However, out of humility he often gave up those rights in order to help the weak. This principle would help win both Jews and Gentiles or those on all spiritual levels.

 

   Paul had certain rights – I Corinthians 9:1-6: The brethren at Corinth knew and understood that Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and that he had been taught by the Lord Himself. The Corinthian Christians owed their very salvation to Paul and the existence of this church was proof of his apostleship. It was Paul's obedience as an apostle that had brought him to Corinth initially. He said, "If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord." (I Corinthians 9:2)

 

  As an apostle Paul had certain rights. However, he had been willing to forego many of those rights in order to save all kinds of people. He came to the people at Corinth and to others, "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." (Acts 26:18) The knowledgeable brethren at Corinth objected to giving up their right to help others. Paul offered proof that he had been doing that very thing for a long time and that they with love should do the same.

 

   Paul restricted his rights – I Corinthians 9:7-14: By way of comparison Paul said he had a right to support from the church. He also said he had a right to be married and to have his wife travel about with him supported by the church. He said Peter and some of the other apostles and even the brothers of the Lord Himself did the same. Some see no labor at all in the work of the ministry. They think of it as a very easy life. But Paul said the solider, vinedressers and herdsmen all benefit from their labors. He said the Law of Moses likewise taught, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain."

 

   Paul also said that those that are employed in the Temple service got their food from the Temple. Those that serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings. "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?" (I Corinthians 9:13) In the same way those men got their living from Temple service the Lord said that those that preach the gospel should live by the gospel. Paul proved that he had the right to be supported by the church, but at Corinth he deliberately chosen not to exercise that right.

 

   Paul was a servant of all – I Corinthians 9:15-23: Paul had many rights that he willingly gave up in order to preach the gospel and to win lost souls. He wrote, "But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void." (I Corinthians 9:15) Paul used his right to give up his rights in order to save souls. He felt compelled to preach the gospel and sacrifice any right that he might have to win the lost.  He said, "I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you." (I Corinthians 9:23) Paul willingly gave up his rights to gain the reward.

 

  Paul felt a duty to preach the gospel. There is absolutely nothing wrong with feeling that God has given you a job to do and that you must do it. This sense of duty drives you to serve God. Paul felt that it was his duty to preach. Therefore, he preached the gospel of Christ without charge at Corinth because he did not want to abuse his power or rights in the gospel. Paul experienced the joy of sharing the gospel with cost at Corinth. He was giving them something precious without asking for anything in return. Paul made himself a slave of all men that he might win some. He said, "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." This unselfish attitude should be our approach to Christian living.

 

   Paul ran the race well – I Corinthians 9:24-27: Paul understood that there was a race to run or a fight to win. In this section of scripture he gave a second reason for practicing self-restraint. The first reason had to do with the saving of the other person. This reason has to do with the saving of ourselves. If we misuse our spiritual rights we could end up "disqualified." Paul pictured life as a race where we each need to learn self discipline. People run races on earth to win a perishable prize. Christians run to obtain an imperishable one, a prize that endures for eternity. The desire of Paul was to run in such a way as to be pleasing to God. He was always ready to give up his freedoms if they interfered with him being able to do what was best for the cause of Christ.

 

   Paul did not want to become a "cast away." He knew that it was possible to be disqualified. This is what motivated him to press on in his work and it also motivated him to sacrifice his rights to save others. Our aim like him should always be to see how much of our life we can give over to God. Paul gave up his liberty in Christ in order to help others and to avoid disqualification. It is much better for a strong Christian to limit his liberty than to cause his weak brother to stumble. There are times when it might be wrong to do what is right. You can not hurt another person spiritually by doing something that is right within itself, like eating meat offered to idols. "Winning the spiritual race doesn’t depend upon how fast you run.  It is determined by HOW you run."

 

   Will you appreciate Jesus enough that you will receive Him as your Lord and Savior NOW? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (I Peter 3:21). After baptism be spiritual in your daily living! We must be willing to give up any personal right for the sake of the souls of others and for our soul.

 

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: UAB Hospital Birmingham: Jimmy Allen (brother of Patsy Nall). In Need Of Prayers: Mae Beverly, Brenda Burkett (sister of Vickie Clark), Brain Davis, Paul Deason, Mary Dewrell, Roy Goodwin, Montine Hardin, Carrie Harding, Evan Hartsell, L.J. Herring, Wanda Kyser, Marjorie McKelroy, Larry McNeil, Jo Ann Moorer, Wallace Murry, Mary Powell, Lydia Ann Raybon, Steve Smith, Brenda Stallings, Harold Thompson, Alma Ward (mother of Bill Ward), Richard Watts, Helen Web, Johnnie Wesley, Ryan Wilkes (friend of Alaina Bagents), and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

 

2. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to LeRoy Boutwell and his family in the death of his uncle, Marvin Boutwell.

 

3. Prayer Request: Please pray for Sister Mary Riley. She will be going to Germany for six weeks. We will miss you!

 

4. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, Michael Howell, Taylor Bodie, Richard Shows, and Todd Till. Pray for them often!

 

5. Bridal Shower: A bridal shower is planned for Tim Croley and Lindsay Rice following our evening worship on Sunday, November 18^th. Everyone is invited. Please bring finger foods. The meat committee will be in charge of clean-up.

 

6. Birthdays: November 18^th Alaina Bagents, November 19^th Thomas Till, and November 20^th Beverly Lassiter.

 

7. Guyana Trip: Pray for Bobby Terrell and Charles Box as they make a trip to Guyana on November 27^th – December 11^th. Bobby will work with the Plaisance Church of Christ and the Industry Church of Christ. Charles and a small group will go into Annai to work with the churches there.

 

8. Good Job: Thank you to all that helped pack boxes for Guyana. Many people helped on Wednesday, Wednesday night and Thursday. Thank you!!

 

9. Accomplishment: Randy Fullington was recently recognized as the 2^nd ever “Nation Board Certified Teacher” in Butler County. Good job Randy!

 

10. Bobby & Mary Lou Terrell Honored: Bobby & Mary Lou Terrell were honored on Friday, November 16^th at the “Capital Prayer Breakfast.” This event in hosted by Regions University. They were honored for their many years of service to the church.

 

11. The Reporter: “The Reporter” can be seen on our web-site or you can receive it by e-mail. Send e-mail request to: wschurchofchrist@camelliacom.com. If you receive the Reporter by mail and would be willing to receive the e-mail version we would be grateful as postage is so expensive.  The website address is: http:\\www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org.

 

12. Radio Programs: Remember to hear our programs and tell others to listen. Sunday: 95.9 at 8:00 a.m., 94.3 at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday: at 12:30 on 94.3.

 

13. Very Important: There is an urgent need for a Sunday van driver for the month of December. Please sign up today.

 

14. Put God First: With holiday season approaching, remember to keep God first in your giving. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom…” (Luke 6:38) Our weekly budget is $6,427.38.

 

15. Crowne Health Care: There will not be a class at Crowne Health Care on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 24^th) and the Saturday after Christmas (December 29^th). Our holiday party at Crowne Health Care will be at 10:00 a.m. on December 20^th. Please see Deborah Stallings to find out what you can do to help.

A Mind To Work

 

   Jerusalem was in a dilapidated state. The walls were broken down, the gates were burned, and the people were in great distress. But Nehemiah, longing to help his people, prayed to God. His prayer was heard, and King Artaxerxes sent him to Jerusalem. And when he had spoken to the people, they put their hands to the task, and as Nehemiah 4:6 reads, “the people had a mind to work.” It was because of this commendable attitude that the wall was rebuilt. What an example for the church of today to follow!

 

   Christ’s church should have a mind to work when it comes to benevolence. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away” (Matthew 5:42). When we fail to be generous with what we have, we fail those who are in need, but we also fail ourselves by denying one of the greatest joys on earth…giving. 

 

   The body of Christ, (Ephesians 1:22-23) should have a mind to work regarding exhorttation. Each member of the church is specifically urged to engage in this practice. Elders (Titus 1:9), preachers (II Timothy 4:2), and Christians in general (Hebrews 3:13) should all take on the task of exhorting the brethren.  Christians must study to know God’s word, (II Timothy 2:15) and by that knowledge be able to exhort and encourage others. 

 

   All followers of Christ must have a mind to work in regard to teaching the gospel. We must teach because it is by the gospel that men are drawn to Christ (John 6:44-45). We must teach because it is by the gospel that faith is produced (Romans 10:17). And we must teach because it is by the gospel that men are saved (I Corinthians 1:21).

 

   The church of Christ must have a mind to work towards anything that God has commanded (John 14:15). Are you forsaking the good works of God? Toil today while you still can.

            - - - - Darrell Powell

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)