Transcript

Don't Forget About Love

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Pastor Randy Smith

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We find ourselves this morning concluding a specific unit from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Chapters 8-10 dealt with the issue of questionable practices for the Christian.

How can the Christian rightly respond to the hundreds of decisions we face everyday? When faced with a myriad of options, how can we decide in such a way that not only pleases our Creator, but also promises us the greatest benefits? It is difficult and we have all experienced the consequences of making a poor decision.

The church in Corinth faced this dilemma. The primary issue concerning them was knowing what to do with "(meat) sacrificed to idols" (1 Cor. 8:1). Was eating this meat the enjoyment of God's bountiful blessings or was it participation in idolatry?

Though questionable practices were different for the believer living in the first century, the past two months we have used this situation to learn general guidelines and universal principles that can be applied to all questionable situations when forced to make a decision in the twenty-first century.

First of all we learned that every decision we make must be in line with the Word of God. Applicable to all cultures and all times, the Bible contains specific guidelines for the child of God. There are certain things we must do and certain things we must avoid. These issues are not negotiable. They are essential for the Christian to follow regardless of the cost or inconvenience.

For example, let's return to the issue of meat sacrificed to idols. Paul made it clear in our message last week that we must not participate in idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14, cf. 10:7). If eating this meat becomes partaking in the actual act of idolatry, which is clearly condemned in the Scriptures, there is no longer any debate. Our decision has already been made because we must adhere to the Bible if we claim to be a Christian.

Here's why…

• Though we are saved entirely by grace, evidence of our salvation is willingly and delightfully following the Word of God.

• Though we are not under law to merit our favor with God, we are under the law of Christ in our responsibility to submit to His lordship.

• Though we have freedom in Christ, our freedom is the opportunity and privilege to follow God's law effectively.

• Though we can't earn God's love, we show our love to God through joyful obedience to the Scriptures. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15).

• Though our flesh balks at following the Bible, our spirit testifies that faithfulness in this area brings the greatest joy and success.

So the first question we need to ask ourselves when making any decision: "Do the Scriptures speak to this specific issue" and if so, "Is my life submitting to the instruction contained therein?" Any person who does not take this issue seriously has every reason to doubt whether or not he or she is really a Christian.

Second, and this was the majority of our material the past two months, when making any decision we must consider the realm of Christian liberty. Just like eating meat sacrificed to idols for the Corinthians two thousand years ago, the Bible is silent on many contemporary issues for the believer today. People cannot turn to any page in the Bible and receive a specific answer regarding: watching television, going to the movies, wearing make-up, drinking alcohol, choosing a style of music, playing cards, deciding on dress lengths, buying a house or celebrating a holiday. To codify these gray issues into an acceptable standard to be enforced on others is the epitome of legalism. We are not to judge one another in these areas of Christian freedom.

However, each of us must examine these issues in line with general principles contained in the Bible and then make personal decisions that agree with the leading of the Holy Spirit and our conscience as to how we will individually choose to respond.

So when forced to make a decision, we must first examine the Word of God. If the Bible is silent, we have the freedom to decide as we personally feel led by the Lord.

Now here is where most people stop when it comes to making a decision. And that is very unfortunate because one final step must be considered that is extremely important. This final step prevents us from conducting step one and step two in a spirit of selfishness.

In order for a decision to be distinctively Christian, we must consult the Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit. We must ask the Holy Spirit to guide us if the Word is silent. But we must also employ the fruit of the Holy Spirit in every decision we make - namely love!

If we eliminate the third step we may follow a sort of "lawful guideline," but we will be removing the essence of our Christian faith because love is the "fulfillment of the law" (Rom. 13:10). Love binds all of these principles together (Col. 2:2). Love prevents us from being selfish in our decisions (Phil. 2:3-4). Love does not seek its own (1 Cor. 13:5). We must love because God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). And without love, as said Paul, we are nothing (1 Cor. 13:2).

So as we conclude this unit from 1 Corinthians, I would like to show you how the apostle has come full circle in his discourse. He began chapter 8 by expressing the fact that our freedom in Christ should never cause a weaker brother or sister in Christ to sin. Love overrides liberty. He now concludes chapter 10 by telling these believers that love must permeate every decision they make.

We must invert our natural tendencies when making a decision. Though self-love is commonly placed in the forefront, we as Christians are not finished making any decision until we have first considered our need to (in this order) love God, love other believers and love the lost. Regarding the decision, self-love finishes a distant last place.

1. THE PRINCIPLE OF GLORIFICATION (verse 31)

As we begin, let's first examine the need to love God in every decision we make. I call this the principle of glorification. We start with a very well known verse from our text, 1 Corinthians 10:31. "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (cf. Col. 3:17).

This verse has been used by countless Christians throughout the centuries when called to make a decision not specifically addressed in the Bible. It serves as a grid through which every action must pass. "Will this decision bring glory to God." And that is an excellent question to ask!

We must understand that God is passionately consumed with His glory. Last week I left you with a thought to consider. I said, "If God were not zealous for His glory, He would be an idolater." What exactly do you think I meant by that?

John Piper can answer it much better than I can myself. He said, "Sometimes people ask, why is it right for God to seek His glory, but wrong for us to seek our glory? Why would we be vain and God be righteous? The answer is that God's righteousness and our righteousness are exactly the same - God is righteous to esteem most highly what is most valuable in the universe, namely, God. And we are righteous to esteem most highly what is most valuable in the universe, namely, God. There is no inconsistency here. And that is God. For us to be righteous we must love God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. For God to be righteous He too must love HIMSELF with all his heart and soul and mind and strength. Otherwise he would be an idolater. He would be giving supreme devotion to something that does not have supreme value" (The Joyful Duty of Man, Sermon, Jan. 22, 1989).

This principle is witnessed throughout the Bible. Every decision of His is based on whether or not it will uphold His glory. Isaiah 43:7 - People are created for His glory. 1 John 2:12 - People are forgiven for His glory. Psalm 23:3 - People are guided for His glory. 1 Samuel 12:22 - Israel was preserved for His glory.

Jonathan Edwards in his book, The End for Which God Created the World, concluded, "The moral rectitude of the disposition, inclination, or affection of God, chiefly consist in a regard to Himself, infinitely above His regard to all other beings; or, in other words, (God's) holiness consists in this (delight in Himself)" (Works, 1:98).

So if we understand that God does everything for His glory, it stands to reason that He will take great pleasure in those who share in His utmost concern. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism states, "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." Therefore in every choice we make, the greatest way we can honor God and express our love for Him is to ask ourselves if this particular decision is being done for the glory of God.

As a pastor once said, "Christianity is a full-time occupation. We are working for the glory of God!" Obviously we cannot add to His glory, but it is our responsibility to reflect His glory and make it known (Psm. 29:1-2)! And when doing so our wills most perfectly come in line with His.

We have a phenomenal youth group at our church. They go by the nickname: "Grace Lighthouse." A few years back I heard of a church youth group called: "Whatever." At first is sounded somewhat degrading, playing off the "whatever" attitude of a disrespectful adolescent. But after some further investigation, I came to learn it played off 1 Corinthians 10:31. "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (emphasis added). What a wonderful principle to live by! "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

To heighten this point, verse 31 lists two specific activities: eating and drinking. They fit in the context of consuming idol sacrifices, but they also tell us that even in the mundane and routine like eating and drinking we are to consider God's glory.

The glory of God, my friends, is the central theme of the Bible. It is the purpose of our existence. Upholding God's glory is the greatest expectation for those whom God has created and redeemed. It is akin with the greatest commandment to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Mt. 22:37). So for the love of God, the glory of God should be considered in every decision we make.

Let's get particular. One specific way we can glorify God is following the second greatest commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mt. 22:39). This will take us to our next two points. Secondary in making any decision, we must place our love for the church and our love for the lost over our love for self.

2. THE PRINCIPLE OF EDIFICATION (verses 23-30)

So from the principle of glorification, I take you to the principle of edification. Or in other words, does this decision I am making show love for the church, love for other believers.

In verse 23 Paul says, "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify."

Even though some things are not expressly forbidden in Scripture, they are not profitable. We may lawfully be permitted certain actions, but if those actions are unprofitable generally speaking or if they fail to edify specifically speaking we should not choose them.

Put another way, just because I have permission to engage in certain activities, I should consider how my decisions may fail to edify or build up another Christian. I should choose edification over gratification. I should ask myself if this decision will help or hinder the church. Is this best for me or best for the church? I should, verse 24, not seek my own good, but the good of my neighbor.

I recently read about a pastor who offered a public time of praise for his congregation. The topic was to publicly identify a decision made that was for another Christian's benefit. Other than one man who stood up and said he does not drink alcohol when in the presence of other believers, the church was silent. If you were in that congregation would things have been any different? An action you took… A word you spoke… An example you set…

My friends, we are masters at justifying our egotistical decisions with religious baggage. I believe I've used them all myself. We have the ability to sound so spiritual when in reality we are being so selfish. How often do we put other Christians above ourselves when making a decision? Isn't this the spirit of Philippians 2? "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4).

Why are anger, bitterness, jealousy, impatience and grumbling all wrong? Because they reveal a "me-first" attitude and this "me-first" attitude is not the attitude passed on to us by Christ.

In almost a direct parallel, Paul said in Romans 15, "Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on Me'" (Rom. 15:2-3).

Within the context of meat sacrificed to idols, a specific application of this principle is stated in verses 25-30.

Beginning in verse 25 Paul says, "Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake."

In this area of Christian liberty, the church had no responsibility to quiz the butcher as to the origin of the meat. We are not subjected to Jewish kosher standards (Ac. 10:15). If you avoid idolatry and eating the meat squares with your conscience, purchase it and enjoy it.

Reason being, verse 26, "For the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains" (cf. Psm. 24:1).

God is the ultimate supplier of the meat (1 Cor. 8:6). Therefore the meat is not evil, but rather a good gift from our Creator that we can enjoy with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:4).

So, as verse 27 teaches, "If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience' sake."

Have personal contact with the unsaved (Mt. 9:11; 1 Cor. 9:19f)! Don't ask the host embarrassing questions (Col. 4:6)! Exercise your freedom in Christ (Gal. 5:1)! Eat the food if your conscience permits (1 Cor. 10:27) because idols don't exist (1 Cor. 8:4) and all food belongs to God (1 Cor. 10:26)!

"But if anyone says to you," (presumably another believer) now in verse 28, "'This is meat sacrificed to idols,' do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake." Verse 29, "I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's."

Now we face the dilemma. What should I do? On the one hand I have permission from the Bible and my conscience to eat the meat. On the other hand eating the meat may cause another Christian to sin against his or her conscience (1 Cor. 8:7, 10, 12). Which do I choose?

According to all we have learned thus far, I forsake my liberty. I operate on the principle of love and set the meat aside. I consider the other person's needs above my own rights and privileges. Remember verse 23? "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify." We are not talking about legalism. We are talking above love - the voluntary restriction to build up and edify another. Because when I sin against another's conscience, 8:12, I "sin against Christ."

3. THE PRINCIPLE OF EVANGELIZATION (verses 32-33)

Now some commentators interpreting verses 28 and 29 believe the informant regarding the meat sacrificed to idols is not a fellow Christian with a weak conscience, but rather an unbeliever who happens to be at the same table. Such a person either in respect or sarcasm leans over to you knowing your strong Christian beliefs and says, "This meat was previously sacrificed to an idol." Paul says we should not consume the meat.

If I eat the meat, will this unbeliever think I am identifying myself with the god to whom it was sacrificed? Will he think he is spiritually safe and I support his religious system?

If this interpretation is correct, it transitions well to our final point - the principle of evangelization.

Let's review where we have been for a moment. Though we may have freedom to make a decision not mentioned in the Scriptures, our decision must be guided by love for God and love for other Christians considering their needs above our own. While we are almost done, there is one final group that merits our consideration as well. We must ask ourselves, "How will this decision affect those without Christ in regard to making the Gospel more or less attractive?"

In verses 32 and 33 Paul said, "Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved."

In all that we do, are we seeking our own profit or the profit of many, so that they many be saved? Are we considering how our decisions will affect those without Christ? Are we adorning the Gospel? Will this decision serve my own needs and repel people or will it attract people to the magnificent Savior and sweet fellowship of His church.

I can't tell you how many unbelievers have said:

• "If being like him means being a Christian, I want no part of it!"

• "The church contains more bickering and backbiting than anything I belong to!"

• "You guys preach one message, but your lives are inconsistent!"

• "You folks are concerned with the truth but you have no concern for love."

• "Some of the most arrogant people I know are Christians."

I totally believe in the sovereignty of God in salvation, but oh how difficult we can make it for someone to accept Christ!

Maybe we need to think a little harder as to how our decisions affect what an unbeliever thinks of Jesus Christ and make some personal sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel. Are we acting as His ambassadors? Are we modeling the Christian life for the lost? Are we living as Christ lived, winsome, yet without compromising the truth? As it has been said so often, "If someone is offended by the Gospel, that is his or her problem, but if someone is offended by you, that is your problem."

The Word of God should be consulted first in every decision we make. If the Bible is silent, we have the freedom to be personally guided by our conscience and the Spirit. However, when making these decisions we must not forget about the principle of love. Does this decision show a love for God? And sandwiching that principle in our text, does this decision show a love for other Christians and does this decision show a love for those without Christ?

And am I willing to place my personal needs, my love for self, last. Some have used the acronym JOY - Jesus, others, yourself. Oh that our joy would come from delighting in the edification of Christians and salvation of the lost.

This is joyful Christian living because this was the example of Jesus (Eph. 5:1-2) - a baby born in a manger to die on a cross for the glory of God and good of others. We will glorify Him and prove to be His disciples if we follow His example. Furthermore, we would do well to set this example for others in the church. May we all say as Paul said in 11:1, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ."

So I leave you with this question, "Is your example of self-sacrificial love worthy to imitate?"