Christian Freedom: 8 Takeaways From 1 Corinthians 8-10
Who and what is our Christian freedom for?
I’ve just wrapped up a series of messages moving through 1 Corinthians chapters 8-10. In this section of Paul’s letter to Christians in Corinth, several issues related to Christian freedom come to the forefront. Specifically, the questions of what are Christians free from and what are we freed for are patiently and precisely addressed by the apostle Paul. There’s so much spiritual gold in these chapters, but here are some of my big takeaways:
Jesus frees us from sin, not for sin.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
Freedom in Christ is not the ability to do what we want, but the ability to do what is good, noble, true, and right.
Jesus doesn’t free us from constraints, but into the constraints that develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, NIV)
In a culture that emphasizes personal rights and freedoms, it’s easy for us to understand Christian freedom as liberation from any demands or constraints. But that is not what Christian freedom means. Jesus frees us from the constraints that brings death, disconnection, and disorientation (cf. James 1:15), and “enslaves” us (cf. 1 Peter 2:16) into a new pattern of life that teaches us to take hold of “the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19).
Christians have freedom and responsibility in the “grey” areas of life. When we find ourselves in situations or facing decision points where there is no clear “Thou shalt” or “Thou shalt not,” Christians are free to use the following questions to discern whether they should engage in morally neutral activities:
Is this wise?
Is this beneficial?
Will this honour God and benefit others?
Does this violate my conscience?
What is beneficial and constructive for one Christian may not be for another. Each Christian’s unique blend of personality, experiences, values, and priorities will lead to divergent expressions of one’s convictions. This does not make one expression right and the other wrong. Beyond the boundaries of what God has explicitly instructed, a faithful Christian life has thousands of ways it can be expressed to the glory of God and the sake of the world. We should pursue those things that benefit and strengthen our Christian walk, even if no one else is doing those things. We should be willing to turn away from those things that are undermining or weakening our Christian walk, even of everyone else around us is engaging in them.
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
““I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:23–24, NIV)
Jesus frees us from the warped and destructive compulsion to seek our own good at the expense of others. Christian freedom must be understood to be an empowerment to be a benefit and blessing to others.
We must be sensitive to the potential ways our freedom might disrupt a fellow Christian’s walk, or impair our representation of Jesus to others.
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9, NIV)
“Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:32–33, NIV)
We are accountable for how we steward our freedom and its impact on the lives of others. This doesn’t mean we are called to live in an anxiously people-pleasing state, or hold a obsessively self-conscious posture where we are continually wondering how our behaviours are impacting those around us. But we are role models and influencers to someone. We must steward this position thoughtfully and be sensitive to the fact that how we conduct ourselves can shape the faith of others more than we might imagine.
God will not be mocked.
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.“ (Galatians 6:7, NIV)
“We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.” (1 Corinthians 10:9, NIV)
Christians who attempt to “game the system” by turning to Christ for forgiveness while continuously refusing to cooperate with God’s agenda to have them grow towards maturity and holiness, are in serious spiritual danger. God will discipline those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6). This is especially true for those who presume upon His grace, living with a reckless disregard towards God’s salvation and calling to live a new life devoted to Him. Not only will those who live into such “freedom” grieve the Spirit’s work in their lives, they may eventually face increased suffering and hardship as a result of their stubborn and immature defiance to God’s warnings and redirections.
Jesus frees us to live “Ad maiorem Dei gloriam.”
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV)
God saves and regenerates us by the Spirit’s power in order that we may learn to live “Ad maiorem Dei gloriam”: for the greater glory of God. This statement is a summary of the idea that any work that is not evil, even one that would normally be considered inconsequential to the spiritual life, can be spiritually meritorious if it is performed in order to give glory to God.
This summons is what makes the Christian life so exciting and adventurous. Jesus frees us from enslavement to sin to enslavement to righteous, joy, peace, and purpose! Instead of living for the self-defeated purpose of my own happiness, pleasure, or advancement, I get to embark on the adventure of discovering what it means to honour and glory God and bless my neighbour in increasingly creative, innovative, life-giving ways. This means every moment, every activity, every situation—whether joyful or grievous—is an opportunity to honour God and/or serve and bless those around me. And in the process, learn to experience new dimensions and depths of God’s goodness and power.