“Freedom in the Body” -- 1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 23-33

Growing up American, we are taught from an early age that we are a free people, that our freedoms were earned by the blood, sweat and tears of dedicated men and women who gave their all in order that we might participate in forming a more perfect union. We were taught of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis and their brave stand for freedom at the Alamo. We were taught of Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, Midway and D-Day.

The freedom spoken off, though, is political in its nature and, as we recently discovered, it is in a precarious position. Freedoms can be taken away at a moment’s notice and without us realizing it until it’s too late.

There is one freedom, though, that cannot be taken away. It is a freedom also gained by blood, sweat and tears. This freedom, though, is not the product of man’s imagination and aspirations. It is the free gift of God that was given to us by the redemption of our sins through the crucifixion of His Son Jesus Christ. It is a freedom that unties the chains of sin and slavery to Satan and his desires.

The freedom God gives us is not a freedom to do as we please. Instead, it is a freedom to serve Him, to do as the Father pleases and reveals to us by His Holy Spirit. Jesus reminds us that freedom means service, that leadership is found in serving and that freedom entails submitting to His will. We surrender to that will not because we are forced to, but because we choose to.

Being a part of the body of Christ, the Church, we are called to be aware of those around us, to place our own desires and hopes under Christ’s headship. As the body of Christ, we are called to use our freedom to serve others.

Background

We talked about the Corinthians in last week’s message, and we don’t need to go over it all again. Today’s passage summarizes what Paul began in Chapter 8, when he began to address the issue of food offered to idols. In his introduction to the issue, Paul writes, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9).

The issue before the Corinthian church is whether it’s okay to eat food offered to idols. Paul points out that there are some in the fellowship who are “weak.” These weak brothers and sisters believe that meat offered to an idol is tainted and must not be eaten by believers. They believe that eating food offered to an idol is the equivalent of participating in worshiping that particular god represented by the idol. Paul says that’s not the case, but he reminds them that the “strong” brother has a duty to protect the “weak” brother.

He then expresses his personal freedom as an apostle and the rights that come with that position. Rather than demand the rights, though, Paul says, “But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ” (9:12b). He also writes, “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible” (9:19).

Paul then uses an illustration from Israel’s past that simply being a part of something doesn’t guarantee we will be free from God’s judgment.

And so we come to today’s passage, speaking of our freedom in the body of Christ and what that means for us today. As we look at the passage, let’s keep in mind this truth:

Central Truth: As members of the Body of Christ, we are to use our freedom to encourage one another.

Our freedom in Christ:

1. Is strengthened by our unity in Him (14-17)

There is strength in numbers. What one person would be afraid to do, if he or she is joined by others of like mind and purpose, they find the courage to do what they wish to do. Tell one person to storm the Congress building, and it’s unlikely to happen. Tell a group of ten, and it may be attempted. Tell a crowd of thousands, and the likelihood of storming the building becomes a reality, as we witnessed January 6. Strength is found in numbers and in unity.

Paul brings that to mind in a more positive way. He tells us that our first duty as followers of Christ is to flee idolatry. It’s easy in our world to say we can do that, because we live in a society that doesn’t have golden calves on street corners. But we do have idols in America. Some worship the flag; some worship the Stock Market; some worship a sports team or a celebrity. We have idols all around us if we will only see them for what they are. Jesus tells us we cannot serve two masters, for we will cling to one and despise the other (cf. Matthew 6:24). If a person professes to follow Christ while keep an eye on their idol, they are fooling themselves.

Having stated that we are to flee idols, Paul next shows us that we way we flee idols is to remember that we are one in Christ. “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we partake of the one loaf” (vs. 16-17).

Paul is not saying that by drinking the juice and eating the bread that the elements are somehow transformed into the body and blood of Christ. He is saying that we identify with these elements. As we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we see the body of Christ in the bread, and we see the blood of Christ in the juice. We recognize once again that Jesus gave His life for our sins in order that we may be joined with Him in His body on earth. We are made into the Church by the work of Christ and the calling of the Holy Spirit. We are given freedom in Christ and we are given strength in our union with Him and with each other.

2. Enjoy our freedom within reason (23-26)

It’s been interesting living in our nation for the past few years. We’ve seen people demand that their rights be preserved, men and women who insist on their rights, even to the point of refusing to wear a mask to help prevent the spread of a deadly disease. Rather than see the mask as a means of fighting an illness that can be prevented, they see it as a threat to their freedom as Americans. They refuse to wear their masks as a show of defiance and of other things.

Paul tells us that we are free to do anything we please. He tells us, “Everything is permissible.” In fact, he tells us twice that this is so. But each time he tells us this, he then conditions it with the limits that come with freedom. Just because it’s permissible doesn’t make it beneficial. Just because it’s permissible doesn’t make it constructive.

The role of the disciple is to follow Christ and His example. We know from reading the Bible that Jesus’ life was all about lifting people up. He had compassion on the masses because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He gave of Himself time after time, and He never complained. Jesus’ ministry was one of looking out for the weak, for challenging the norms and to re-think what it means to be a person of God. In other words, “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

Having established that we are not to live our lives without consideration of others, he then tells us that we should use our freedom within reason. Going back to the theme of eating food offered to idols, Paul says to eat any meat sold in the market without asking questions. His reasoning is that all the meat in the market ultimately comes from God, and therefore we can eat with gratitude to the One we worship, regardless of what the meat may have been used for. Focus on Christ, not the circumstances.

3. By mindful of others in using our freedom (27-33)

Sometimes, though, circumstances may dictate how we react to a situation. If someone invites us to a meal, their treat, and we accept, we will have to eat what’s on the menu. If someone surprises you with an Indian restaurant, there’s a really good chance that hamburgers will not be available. Circumstances can change how we react to a situation.

Paul raises that issue here. As followers of Christ, we are not to stop associating with non-believers. Paul’s advice here is to go with the non-believer and enjoy the meal. Unless that person tells you something about the meal that lets you know that the Christian thing is to decline. Paul puts it as a matter of conscience.

If a non-believer tells us what we are about to do is not consistent with what he or she thinks is a Christian thing to do or say, then we need to politely decline the opportunity. The Bible says we curtail our freedom not for our conscience, but for the conscience of the one who is watching us.

I don’t see this as a “test.” More likely, the non-believer does not want to offend the believer. Oftentimes, it will be assumed we will be offended for a matter that really isn’t offensive, but non-believers judge us on what they perceive to be “Christian” issues, not on what the Bible really says. Paul says we are to remove the stumbling block in this case, and in the case of the “weak” brother or sister. We restrict our freedom in matters that may hinder the preaching of the Gospel.

Paul raises the issue that many do: Why should I care what others think? As long as my motives are right and pure, what does it matter? It matters because people judge us on what they think about what Christ expects of us.

For this reason, Paul writes, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God.”

We shouldn’t understand the first part of v. 34 as Paul saying he changes with the circumstances. He doesn’t. He just knows that we have to approach circumstances in such a way that we can relate to those around us while also standing firm for Christ.

Conclusion

Spiderman’s uncle told him, “With great power comes great responsibility.” There is no greater power than to have absolute freedom. In Christ, we have absolute freedom. But with that freedom comes the responsibility to act and speak in such a way that others will considered and that the gospel of Jesus Christ will always be advanced. We longer live for ourselves, but let the One who saved us live through us. We surrender our freedom willingly to Him—Jesus Christ, the head of the body which is the Church.