Latest / The Daily Word / March 23 – Balancing Freedom in Christ with Love for Others
Transcript
- Robert Rosales: Hey, good morning, Lakeshore family, and welcome to today's daily word podcast. I'm Robert Rosales and my wife Yolanda and I have the privilege of serving as the campus pastors at our Gastonia location. Each day on this podcast, we take a few moments to reflect on what God is highlighting from our daily Bible reading. As a church family, we're intentional about creating space to meet with God through prayer, the Word and by writing down what the Holy Spirit is speaking and how it connects to everyday life. We're reading together using the Life Journal reading plan and today we're focusing on the New Testament passage from that plan. Now when I sit down for my time with the Lord I keep it simple and I generally bring a few things with me. My Bible, my Life Journal and a pen plus a highlighter because I like to highlight the verses that God points out to me in Scripture. I also like to use a couple of trusted study tools to start Blue Letter Bible. I use this to explore original word meanings and cross references and BibleRef.com. This gives me a clear verse by verse insight into what I'm reading. Now, these tools don't replace Scripture. They simply help me slow down and listen more carefully. We're also using the SOAP method, Scripture Observation Application Prayer. This is a practical way to engage God's Word and respond to what He's doing in our hearts. Now, before we read today's passage, come on, let's take a moment and pray before we get into Word. Lord, as I open Your Word, open me. By your spirit, make what is written living and active. Give me ears to hear and a heart to receive and faith to obey. Speak, Lord. I am listening in Jesus name. Amen. Today's passage is from March 23rd and it's in First Corinthians, chapter eight. And I journaled from three different verses, verse one, verse eight and verse nine. Let me read them to us out of the NIV. The Apostle Paul writes, Now about food sacrificed to idols. We know that we all possess knowledge. But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. But food does not bring us near to God. We are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do. Be careful, however. that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. The title of my journal entry is as follows, Balancing Freedom in Christ with Love for Others. Let me say it again, Balancing Freedom in Christ with Love for Others. Here's my observation. In 1 Corinthians chapter 8, Paul talks about a situation in the church at Corinth where some believers were eating food that had been offered to idols. Some Christians knew that idols weren't a threat to them, so they thought it was perfectly fine to eat anything. But others, newer or weaker in their faith, might feel guilty or confused if they saw this. Paul points out that knowledge alone isn't enough. Knowing that idols are nothing can actually make us proud or puffed up if we act without thinking about others. What really matters is love. Love considers the impact our actions have on other people's faith. Even if something is spiritually harmless to us or to me, it can cause another believer to stumble. Paul's principle is simple. Don't let your freedom hurt someone else's faith. He even says, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall, I will never eat that meat again. In other words, true freedom in Christ isn't just about what we can do. It's about what builds up others. My choices should strengthen the faith of those around me, not harm them. Now here's the application for me. How does this apply to my life? Today, certain foods, even alcohol or entertainment or even personal choices may be harmless to me. But if it causes another believer to stumble spiritually, love may require restraint. As a follower of Christ, I will seek to balance my freedom in Christ with love for other people. What I do or don't do doesn't only affect me, it can also affect others watching me. I will be mindful of what God's Word says. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Come on, say that last part with me. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Here's my prayer. Father God, thank you for speaking to me today and reminding me of these powerful truths from your Word. Holy Spirit, help me to live this out. Help me to love others through my actions. Give me clarity and truth when it comes to engaging in culturally accepted activities, because the last thing I want is for my actions to cause others to stumble. I ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Hey, Lakeshore family, as you go about your day, my prayer is that you'll develop a hunger for God and His word like you've never had before. As you do, God will open your eyes to the riches of His word, giving you revelation and life-changing insight that will help you to become everything God has called you to be, fulfilling your mission, purpose, and plan for our great Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thanks for joining me today on the Daily Word Podcast. I hope this encourages you to stay faithful in the Word and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. God bless you and we'll catch you again tomorrow.