July 4, 2016

1 Corinthians 10:23 NKJV - "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify."

Commentary:

FREEDOM!  We love the word and love the affect it has on our lives.  To be FREE is a state everyone wishes to stay in or achieve if they're held in some kind of bondage.  But we must understand that only true freedom comes with a right relationship to Jesus Christ.  He said in John 8:36, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."  Are we not free without Him?

Note what Jesus says in John 8:34, "...Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin [makes it a practice of life], is a slave of sin."  This is supported in Proverbs 5:22, which says, "His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin."    What some people call "freedom" is just their desire to engage in sinful activity "without guilt" or condemnation.  They think that they can enjoy "victimless pleasure" as if there really was such a thing!  If no one else is hurt by your sinful actions, YOU are!  God hates sin and will bring judgment against it.  "...Be sure your sin will find you out."  Numbers 32:23. True freedom is being set free from sin's domination over one's life.  Only Christ can give that kind of freedom.

What Paul is saying in our Daily Verse is that a Christian is "free" to enjoy life, but they must be responsible for their actions.  Not everything in life is helpful.  Consider eating too much "junk food" or staying up late playing video games knowing that you have to be awake in the morning to work.  Eating and playing games are "lawful," but are they truly helpful?  Will you be ashamed of the effect of your actions after you commit them, or will you be pleased and satisfied that what you did was  truly beneficial? 

I want to continue this thought tomorrow.