Just an additional … to Christian Liberty

Just want to add more about the topic Christian Liberty… Just as I have read this verse in the Bible:

I Corinthians 11:23- 33
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

This simply gives more explanation about Christian Liberty. As what the first verse explains, all things we think we can do, even if it is right, is not always edifying or can nurture other’s spiritual life.Perhaps, I just have one good example, and that is drinking wine. We Christians have different perspectives on this matter. But basically we Fundamental Baptist forbid as much as possible not to drink. Taking from the verse Ephesians 5:18 and 1 Corinthians 6:19.

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Studying this verse, it shows that our body is something that we should take care of. We shouldn’t abuse or anything for as I Cor. 6:19 says, it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. And from which we know, a temple shouldn’t be disgraced or something. The question “How do you like your house to be like?” is the same way we should think of “How does the Holy Spirit want His temple (our body) be like?” Although the Bible never explicitly said we shouldn’t drink wine. It does warn us not to drink in excess or in other words be drunk. But as far as controlling the human flesh is concerned, we know, we are weak in this category. And so therefore, it is much better not to drink at all than to start drinking. This is why we choose not to drink. But if we do drink (due to health needs or what), a Christian has a responsibility not to be drunk because of it or else you might commit sin instead. Far more than just drinking is committing another sin which the first verses declares, that is offending others (the weak and the unbelievers). Here is what the Apostle Paul warns us about. Not all things edify.

The example apostle Paul spoke about is actually about eating food / meat that was offered to Idols. Practically apostle Paul explicitly did explain well enough about food / meat that are offered to idols. Eating food or meat in itself is not evil. But knowing it is offered to idols makes it another meaning or sense, since it is of the enemy. And therefore we cannot be with God and also be with the enemy. As the scripture says, “No man can serve two masters.” Therefore, since we are of God’s, we shouldn’t eat any food offered to idols. But in an instance, that once we are asked to go to a feast, and a food is placed in front of you to eat, Paul said, eat it without questioning or even examining the food. But if one says, the food is offered to idols, eat it not, for the sake of the one who told you about the food. On this example, Paul signifies more importance on thinking more of the others than ourselves. For what reason? It’s found in the last verse. “So that they may be saved.”

Just think of it, if a Christian continues to eat it, even with the warning, what happens? The man who informed you will be confused and will think his and your God is of no difference. There are other things that could happen or product of your own actions, but surely it will not glorify God at all. Perhaps just remember what Christ did. He thought of us first more than himself on the Cross.