Someone's always watching...

Did you know that every second of every day, there is someone watching what you are doing?  There is.  Someone is always observing you, whether overt or covert, and they form opinions about what you do, and why you do it.  But what if the person watching isn't as stron in their faith as you are in yours?  What happens then?  And what responsibilities do you have, as a mature Christian?

"For if somebody sees you, the one who has this knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, won't his weak conscience be encouraged to eat food offered to idols?"

1st Corinthians 8:10, HCSB

For starters, we need to know that this chapter in this epistle speaks specifically to food offered to idols in the area of Corinth, which was common in the time of Paul.  Many of the Corinthians thought that they could live a Gnostic lifestyle, embracing the intellectual side of the faith without the physical disciplines.  They tried to be Christian in name only, giving their flesh over to sin while attempting to simultaneously purify their minds.  Further, the only meat in Corinth was generally brought into idol temples, which means that not eating food from those places would make you almost a vegetarian.  And besides, consumption of a certain food doesn't make you holy or unholy, right?  Isn't that what Jesus said?

Yes.  Yes it is.  (Ref. Matthew 15:11)

The problem comes in when an "enlightened" or "mature" person of the faith decides that they can take advantage of the freedoms they have in Christ.  Granted, being a Christian brings salvation, and that salvation cannot ever be taken away.  Added to that, since we are forgiven of all of our sins, it is known already when/if we will continue to eat food from idol temples.  However, we need to look at the heart of why and how we do what we do.  If we boastfully proclaim that we are saved, and therefore this act doesn't matter, then we are wrong.  We are only to boast in the cross and in Christ, and any other braggart-like attitude in pure #epicfail on our parts. 

Now, I use the phrase "take advantage of the freedoms," because it is usually when you take advantage of things that others come to see you as false or fake.  For instance, a proclaiming Christian who goes from church into a sinful life with no conscience issues, claiming that they are "forgiven already" or that they were "made this way" as an excuse for behavior patterns that are contrary to the Biblical life a believer of Christ is supposed to lead... that person isn't going to be effective for the Kingdom.  That life of smoke and mirrors isn't going to help any of the ones who are struggling with whether to give their life to Christ.  That half-hearted Christianity isn't going to reflect an appropriate response to the Son of God dying for you and me and all other human beings who have been or will be created by the Father.  That is #truth.

And imagine the moment that comes when you have been witnessing and sharing and praying to a lost friend, and there is a moment when you're certain that this friend might accept that Christ is the King of kings, and that #Jesus saves... and then you fail.  Your eyes wander to adminre someone or something you shouldn't.  You drift in thought.  You miss the opportunity to either say what needs to be said or pray what needs to be prayed, and your friend watches you allow this failure.  Is he about to make a decision?  Not with a half-hearted witness in front of him he's not!  He may turn away for months or years, and in that time experience great trials and pains, and have little to no hope for escape.  Could you handle that on your conscience? 

We must understand that the freedoms we have in Christ are available to us, of course, but our better discretion and honor to the One who gave all things up for us is paramount to EVERYTHING!!!  Physical wants and drifting thoughts and snappy comebacks and viscious attacks on other people, regardless of the reason, only show that we are not confident in the #truth that Jesus will provide all that we need.  Let me say that last part again: He will provide all that we need.  We are to spend our energy encouraging others, praying always, and giving thanks for everything in life. 

And this is not limited only to food, as I'm sure you realize from the text here.  Advocation of anything that is contrary to God's Word in the New Covenant given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is counter-Christian, and that is an absolute #fact.  There is nothing you can do to argue it.  But know this, friends and Christian siblings: our charge from the Son of God is to love all, just as He did, while encouraging everyone to come closer to Him.  We cannot and will not ever change anyone on this planet except ourselves as individuals.  So work on you, and I will work on me, and the Father will work on all of us.

God bless you all!!!