The Social Contract, written by Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, famously begins with these words: ″Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains."

Freedom is a magnificent idea. To be set free from your past, your failures, your selfish desires, man-made religions, and Old Testament laws that condemned you, is nothing less than wonderful! Jesus came to do all that (see John 8:36, 2 Corinthians 5:17). But, it's possible for that newfound freedom to give us a sense of invincibility. The apostle Paul is dealing with the group of Christians in Corinth who think they are ″standing firm″ (1 Corinthians 10:12) and do not see any danger in going to the pagan temple and eating meat that has been offered to idols.

Paul has already told them that they are weaker than they think. Remember your forefathers' story, he reminds them (vv. 1-12). Now, he tells them not to have anything to do with idolatry at all, and to run from it (v. 14). A Christian cannot ″participate″ in the Lord's Supper by drinking the cup and eating the bread one minute, and ″participate″ with demons eating meat in the pagan temple the next (vv. 16-17, 20-22).

Notice the emphasis on ″participation″. Whether it's in the Lord's Supper with Christians or in meat with pagans, it is not merely about eating, but also involves one's whole self. And notice, too, that behind idols are demonic spiritual forces that want to drag us away from depending on Christ. God is jealous and won't share us! You either sit at one table or the other (vv. 21-22).

The liberal group in Corinth prized their individual freedom, but Paul sees something bigger at stake-the good of others (vv. 23-24). It's not whether something is allowed or not that matters; rather, it's whether something is helpful or harmful to others. So, yes, eating meat offered to idols-if it doesn't offend your conscience-is not wrong, as everything belongs to God (vv. 25-26). But if it troubles someone who knows you are a Christian and knows that the meat has been offered to an idol (vv. 27-30), don't touch it.

What glorifies God is not me seeking my own liberty, but me sacrificing it in order to love (vv. 31-33). As I do that, I'll be following Paul, as he follows Jesus (11:1).

Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus came to set me free. May I enjoy that freedom yet also gladly limit it so that I can help others and glorify You.