Brotherly Love

Most Christian converts in Corinth were offended by “the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols” (v. 4). Paul said that eating such type of meat would neither make them better nor worse (v. 8). However, he advised them not to do anything that would cause them to “become a stumblingblock” to the weaker brethren. Paul reminds them that brotherly love must be their main objective (v. 12). As Bible-believing Christians, we have been given “the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Gal 5:1). But we must be mindful of the examples we set for others (1 Cor 10:11), by not causing our brothers and sisters in Christ to be offended (v. 13), or potentially hurting them (Php 2:3).

We must always consider them before ourselves (Rom 12:10)! We have liberty in Christ, but we are not at liberty to do anything we want; especially in behaviors and activities that are neither expedient nor edifying (1 Cor 10:23). Sadly, most liberal Christians today justify their liberty by using it “for an occasion to the flesh” (Gal 5:13). They won’t even renounce questionable things for the sake of glorifying God (1 Cor 10:31). But when we try to correct them with Bible truth, they lash out and call us legalists! Beware, those who enter this road go down on a slippery slope (2 Pet 2:19), where there’s no stopping (Jms 1:15).

They usually start by lowering their standards in music, followed by the use of modern Bible versions. This is always in conjunction with the lowering of dress standards by looking like the world (1 Cor 5:6). People who embrace this pathway claim to use their liberty to miss church services by watching online. But soon they are actually missing all of them (Heb 10:25)! Christians, we don’t lose anything by holding on to our godly standards (Ps 119:128); but we shall surely lose much when we loosen those standards! God bless you! 

-Pastor Melito Barrera