1Corinthians 8:1-13 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM There is a tendency among new believers in Christ who are so grateful for God's salvation that they want to please God in every way possible. Looking for a list of rules that contain "dos and don'ts" similar to the 10 commandments, they seek a legal lifestyle to give themselves a sense of holiness. Their study of books written by men and the opinions of others can lead them to feel superior, more knowledgeable, and more spiritual than others. The idols of the people of Corinth were false gods to those who worshipped before them. The animals that were sacrificed to idols were symbols of what was important to them, and they were giving it to the false gods, which was really demon worship. After the ritual was completed, they would either eat the animal's flesh or sell it to the public in the marketplace. Some of those new Christians had developed a superior, know-it-all opinion of themselves because they knew all that ritual was worthless - and they were right as far as worthlessness was concerned. The correction Paul was writing about was that their attitude was wrong, which made their actions valueless.
Surely, we are thankful for the liberty in Christ we have been brought into. We know idol worship is nothing. We also know that those who worship idols are wasting their time, efforts, and goods when they sacrifice to idols. We know what the Bible says, and we know that much that is done today in religious groups is only a form of bondage. We know what is right and wrong, doctrinally, regarding the worship of God. But we need to remember it is possible to have knowledge without grace; doctrine without godliness; truth without love. What we know doctrinally needs love to keep it balanced. It is possible to have knowledge without love, and that power of knowledge can be abusive. Love, on the other hand, without knowledge, is deceptive and hypocritical. Keep in mind that not all idols are religious symbols. Whatever takes the preeminent place in my life is what I worship.
Christian freedom does not mean that anything goes or that we can do whatever we want. Our salvation is not based on rules and regulations, but on the freedom and grace of God through the sacrifice of Christ. A sensitivity to what is right and wrong is good, but it needs to be kept within the bounds of love and knowledge. Those who are stronger in faith need to help those who are weak in faith see beyond forms, rituals, and their own opinions of right and wrong to the revealed will of God.
Weak Christians are prone to making critical judgments and, on occasion, become offended by what they think is compromising to the Christian faith. Meat is only meat and doesn't change spiritually in any way. The meat is not contaminated by the sins of the people because it has been offered to an idol that is nothing. But the reality is that imposed laws comfort some who are new to the faith because they do not want to make a personal decision about what is right or wrong. They would rather have rules placed on them so they can blame others for anything that doesn't work out right. They have not learned to trust God or be guided by the Spirit of God and the Word of God. It is not easy for one who has been longer in Christ and has learned to live by faith to help weaker brothers at first. It is incumbent on the one stronger in faith to show love along with knowledge as they guide the new believer into the truths that enable one to enjoy their freedom in Christ. This takes time. Don't push too hard or too fast. Be patient with those who are coming from a legal frame of reference.
A person's conscience is the inner ability to judge a matter before an action takes place. It also leads to a sense of guilt after something wrong has already taken place. Our conscience depends on our knowledge. The more knowledge we have of God, His Word, and His ways, the better we are able to act on what we know. Our conscience ("with knowledge") is strengthened and becomes consistent with God's will the more we know God. The weak conscience is real to one who hasn't recognized our freedom in Christ. My conscience, which has been strengthened by the knowledge of God, does not allow me to override or ignore those with a weak conscience. It takes time for us to guide the young in Christ into growth and a mature understanding of the scope of God's grace.
At the same time, it would be wrong for me to knowingly do anything that would lead the weak brother into some path that might result in sin on his part. What may have no negative effect on me because of experience and maturity could be a stumbling block to one who is weaker. I may be free in Christ to do a certain thing, but because of love for my brother, I will not do it - even if it comes to what I eat and drink. Christian freedom and Christian responsibility go together.