Courage to Defer

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." 1 Corinthians 8:9(NIV)

Reflect

When have you been a ‘stumbling block’ to another because you ‘exercised your freedom’ in an inappropriate way?

Comment

The context is this: Some Christians were buying the cheap meat at the market, meat which had been sacrificed to pagan idols. This offended the legalists who felt that doing so was offensive to God. The Grace oriented Christians rightly felt that meat is simply meat and since idols are nothing anyway, why not eat the cheap meat. Paul refers to the legalists as “weak Christians” and refers to the Grace oriented Christians as “strong”.

Once again we see Paul teaching that the wisdom of God is found in the Cross. Strong Christians defer their rights, the right and permission to eat the cheap meat, so that their freedom does not lead the legalists into the sin of judgmentalism. It is for love and spiritual edification of the “weak” Christian that the “ strong” Christian defers.

Prayer

“Lord, show me where I need to defer claiming my rights, indeed to give them up, in favor of the way of the cross for the sake of others. Amen”