Bible Students

The issue that especially stood out to me was the note about how Christians were abusing their freedom in Christ and continued to sin. Additionally, Christians were abusing their freedom in Christ and causing others to sin. This abuse in freedom is present especially today in America, I believe, and so I find it most fruitful to address this issue.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul responds to this issue by explaining that freedom in Christ comes through submission to others (coincidentally, so does Martin Luther in “The Freedom of a Christian”). While all things are given to Christians, Christians should only partake in what is profitable. He says in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that all things are permissible but not profitable. This is like being given a kingdom but playing in mud. I do not know on which page it is found, but C.S. Lewis in “The Weight of Glory” famously said, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.” Christians should use their freedom for what is profitable, not what is pleasurable.

Today, the opposite philosophy is found. Freedom should be used for what is pleasurable, not profitable. Instant gratification is “in.” Christians today must use their freedom for the sake of others (personal profit can be used for the sake of others, as well). The freedom of the Christian is to use their freedom for others, not for personal unprofitable gain, but to be more like Christ.