These chapters (8-10) in 1 Corinthians have been much discussed and much debated since the original ink was dry. There are not many, if any, simple yes/no answers when it comes to certain questions about Christian liberty. For instance consider that what Paul warned the Corinthians about--"lusting after evil things"--happened to be fish, melons, cucumbers, onions, leeks, and garlic. These things are very obviously not inherently evil. And yet they are designated "evil things". This is the case because--and only because--OF THE VALUE THEY ATTACHED TO THEM. This fact is hugely significant as it relates to us: especially American Christians. We are surrounded by practically unprecedented opportunity to buy things, have things, and do things. In a multitude of cases these "things" are like the melons, fish, cucumbers, garlic, and leeks--not inherently evil in themselves, but very definitely can become EVIL THINGS. What exactly makes the difference? This sermon explains this matter extremely clearly and extremely practically. In a nut shell what makes a neutral thing an "evil thing" is the value we attach to it. It is a false delusive assertion that "if you cannot find a specific proof text forbidding a thing, then it is okay to do it." |