Paul is writing to the Corinthian church and one of the many issues he discusses is how we are to use our freedom in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:23). We have a lot of freedom when we don’t have to worry constantly if we are making the grade with God. He has accepted and saved us just as we are (hard concept to fully understand), so I’m freed from worrying about my every action every step of the way. If someone invites me to a meal, I’m to go and enjoy it without raising a bunch of questions. One of the questions raised in Paul’s time was, “Did this meat come from one of the temples as a sacrifice?” Don’t worry, after all that other “god” is really no god at all. But if another person there says, “This meat was offered as a sacrifice” don’t eat it. Not because it was offered to another “god” but because the person who told you this may still be struggling in their faith with these questions. I have the freedom in my own mind to partake, as Paul says I even gave thanks for it, but I don’t want to become a stumbling block for the other person and their faith.
So, while I am thankful for what God has provided the overall issue is what is my witness to those around me. Paul says that whatever we do we need to do all to the glory of God. Is God honored when I put my rights and freedoms before another’s conscience and faith? Paul goes on to challenge us to follow his example in this, but not really his, for he is following the example of Christ. Paul has much the same to say to the Galatian church in Galatians 5. We are to use our freedom not for our own selfish (sinful) nature, but to serve others. Today Paul may use the situation of wearing a mask or not. My salvation does not rest in whether I wear a mask or not, but how do I use my freedom as to whether I wear a mask or not. Some act as though you were asking them to commit the unpardonable sin by wearing a mask, or that you are questioning their faith if they either do or don’t. Why should I wear one if I don’t see the point in it? Because you aren’t doing it for you, your doing it to help protect others. We speak of sacrificing for our faith in Christ and then act offended if someone expects us to wear a mask, so much for commitment.
We have been raised to think of freedom as getting to do what I want, but that isn’t the life we are called to. The life I live in the body I live to Jesus. What would Jesus have me do? We know from his example that he put our needs above his own. He had the right to call down 10,000 angels to get him off the cross, yet in love for us he stayed there. I guess it was a good thing they didn’t ask him to wear a mask while he was dying for us. Think about it.
Don
So, while I am thankful for what God has provided the overall issue is what is my witness to those around me. Paul says that whatever we do we need to do all to the glory of God. Is God honored when I put my rights and freedoms before another’s conscience and faith? Paul goes on to challenge us to follow his example in this, but not really his, for he is following the example of Christ. Paul has much the same to say to the Galatian church in Galatians 5. We are to use our freedom not for our own selfish (sinful) nature, but to serve others. Today Paul may use the situation of wearing a mask or not. My salvation does not rest in whether I wear a mask or not, but how do I use my freedom as to whether I wear a mask or not. Some act as though you were asking them to commit the unpardonable sin by wearing a mask, or that you are questioning their faith if they either do or don’t. Why should I wear one if I don’t see the point in it? Because you aren’t doing it for you, your doing it to help protect others. We speak of sacrificing for our faith in Christ and then act offended if someone expects us to wear a mask, so much for commitment.
We have been raised to think of freedom as getting to do what I want, but that isn’t the life we are called to. The life I live in the body I live to Jesus. What would Jesus have me do? We know from his example that he put our needs above his own. He had the right to call down 10,000 angels to get him off the cross, yet in love for us he stayed there. I guess it was a good thing they didn’t ask him to wear a mask while he was dying for us. Think about it.
Don
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