Considering the Lord Jesus in making Moral Decisions (1 Cor. 8:12-13), Rev Dr John Kwasi

Introduction

This lesson aims at helping us in making good moral choices. Many a time, we are confronted with how to make sensitive issues 0f not causing others to sin. Our study of 1 Cor. 8:12-13 reminds us about the need to consider Christ in such situations.

Learning from Jesus Christ

Our Lord, in the days of His flesh here on earth, was careful never to cause others to stumble. The incident in Matthew 17:24-27 illustrates this. “Lest we should cause them to stumble” is a wonderful principle to follow, for it means putting Jesus’ love into daily living. Jesus died for the weaker brother, therefore we dare not cause them to sin. To sin against another believer is to sin against our Lord! It would be better to go without meat than to make others fall, says Paul.

We can think of dozens of applications of this principle in modern life. Take the world of amusements, for example. One person might be able to attend a theatre and not suffer from it spiritually.  But if this act leads a weaker brother astray, then the stronger brother has sinned. A mature believer might be able to read a popular novel and not be affected.  But if his selection causes another to stumble, he has sinned. Yes, we have freedom as disciples of the Lord.  However,  we are not free to become stumbling blocks to others. What a tragedy if a believer were to backslide, or a lost sinner reject Jesus because a believer selfishly asserted “his rights” and set the wrong example. “Let no man think only of his own good, but let him think of the good of others,” Paul states in 10:24—that is a wonderful principle to follow!

Making Choices in Sensitive Issues