Paul
the apostle asked the church members in Corinth is “do
we provoke the Lord to jealousy?” and he questioned, “are we
stronger than he?”
In chapter ten and verse twenty-three of
First Corinthians, Paul told the Corinthian church members “all
things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient”
where we read:
The verse begins, “All
things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient:”.
Paul began
with the word, “All things”
which means “each, every, the whole and some of all types” “are
lawful” or
“right and according to the law” “for
me” which
refers to “Paul
himself”, “but” which
is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “all
things” or
“each, every, the whole and some of all types” “are
not expedient”
which means “do not contribute in order to help, are profitable and
beneficial”. Paul knew, because he was a Christian, everything was
“right” for him to do, but everything was not “beneficial” to
his walk with the Lord.
The
verse continues, “all
things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Paul added
the words, “all things” which
means “each, every, the whole and some of all types” “are
lawful” or
“right and according to the law” “for
me” which
refers to “Paul himself”, “but”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “all
things”
which means “each, every, the whole and some of all types” “edify
not” or
“do not build up, establish or grow in wisdom and piety”. Though
everything was “right and according to the law” for Paul, he knew
not “everything” would “build” him up or “help him grow in
wisdom and piety”.
When
we think through these words from Paul, we realize the freedom that
comes with being a Christian. “All things” are “lawful”
for us, however, not everything available to us will “benefit”
or “build” us up. Paul's idea was to share how the church members
in Corinth had “all things” available to them, but those things
would not necessarily benefit their Christian walk. We should examine
“everything” we believe to be “lawful” for us, and lay
aside and avoid anything that does not “build us up” or “benefit”
our relationship with God.
Next
time Paul tells the Corinthians, “let
no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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