Power of Choice
God has given us great freedom. We can choose to say, do, or go anywhere we want to. We can eat what we want, read what we want, and watch what we want. We even choose what we will and won't believe. But with this freedom comes responsibility because the choices we make can become stumbling blocks in someone else's life that prevents them from knowing God.
Only be careful that this power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours, does not [somehow] become a hindrance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or overscrupulous [giving them an impulse to sin].
1 Cor. 8:9 Amplified
Our choices have power. We are able to influence people to come closer to or move away from Jesus by the choices we make. Paul is warning us that our decisions can cause others to stumble and sin. I heard someone say that we preach with our lives and when necessary we can use words.
God wants us to make our own decisions but He wants us to know that our choices have great power. As believers in Jesus Christ, we represent Him in this world (2 Cor. 5:20). How we live and the things we say and do can either help or hinder the relationship other people have with God. While the goal is not to live people pleasing lives, we do need to consider the impact of our choices on the people around us.
For although I am free in every way from anyone's control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more [for Christ].
1 Cor. 9:19 Amplified
I found it interesting that in the next two verses Paul says he is not under the Law or without law but that he is "...[especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ." Paul lived only by the law of Christ but he went to the cities around him treating every person with respect as he shared the good news of the gospel with them. He understood that the way he lived was more powerful than what he said.
Although we can choose to do whatever we want, we need to be conscious of how our choices will affect others. That is not to say that we live to please other people. We don't. We live by the law of Christ and that means we do what we can to help others come to Him for healing and life. We don't want our lives to be an obstacle for someone else to accept Jesus.
For example some Christians believe smoking is a sin. Others do not. If you were out with someone who believed smoking is a sin and they had quit smoking because of this belief. You would not sit with them and smoke because it might make them go back to doing something that they believe is wrong. In other words, you would have respect for how they feel and what they believe and you would abstain from smoking in their presence.
Treating people with respect allows you to live your life according to what you believe while letting others have and enjoy the same freedom.
Use your power of choice to bring people to Christ not push them away.
Heidirn
Only be careful that this power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours, does not [somehow] become a hindrance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or overscrupulous [giving them an impulse to sin].
1 Cor. 8:9 Amplified
Our choices have power. We are able to influence people to come closer to or move away from Jesus by the choices we make. Paul is warning us that our decisions can cause others to stumble and sin. I heard someone say that we preach with our lives and when necessary we can use words.
God wants us to make our own decisions but He wants us to know that our choices have great power. As believers in Jesus Christ, we represent Him in this world (2 Cor. 5:20). How we live and the things we say and do can either help or hinder the relationship other people have with God. While the goal is not to live people pleasing lives, we do need to consider the impact of our choices on the people around us.
For although I am free in every way from anyone's control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more [for Christ].
1 Cor. 9:19 Amplified
I found it interesting that in the next two verses Paul says he is not under the Law or without law but that he is "...[especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ." Paul lived only by the law of Christ but he went to the cities around him treating every person with respect as he shared the good news of the gospel with them. He understood that the way he lived was more powerful than what he said.
Although we can choose to do whatever we want, we need to be conscious of how our choices will affect others. That is not to say that we live to please other people. We don't. We live by the law of Christ and that means we do what we can to help others come to Him for healing and life. We don't want our lives to be an obstacle for someone else to accept Jesus.
For example some Christians believe smoking is a sin. Others do not. If you were out with someone who believed smoking is a sin and they had quit smoking because of this belief. You would not sit with them and smoke because it might make them go back to doing something that they believe is wrong. In other words, you would have respect for how they feel and what they believe and you would abstain from smoking in their presence.
Treating people with respect allows you to live your life according to what you believe while letting others have and enjoy the same freedom.
Use your power of choice to bring people to Christ not push them away.
Heidirn
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