The Gray Areas

Bringing Clarity to Christian Liberty

By Jacob Abshire

Published by Truth411 and Lucid Books

The Gray Areas: Bringing Clarity to Christian Liberty

© 2010 by Jacob Abshire

Published by Truth411 and Lucid Books

18906 Par Two Cir., Humble, TX 77346

www.t411.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Design and typeset: Resolute Creative Group, Inc., Houston, TX

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Contents

Title Page

Introduction

Lesson 1: Pattern & Purpose

Lesson 2: Principle of Expedience

Lesson 3: Principle of Edification

Lesson 4: Principle of Excess

Lesson 5: Principle of Enslavement

Lesson 6: Principle of Equivocation

Lesson 7: Principle of Encroachment

Lesson 8: Principle of Example

Lesson 9: Principle of Evangelism

Lesson 10: Principle of Execration

About the Author: Jacob Abshire

INTRODUCTION

Nothing destroys a Christian relationship like a cold beer. It’s happened a thousand times. Two were once good friends, and both saw the other as walking so close to heaven, they carried the mist from celestial clouds. But then, one saw the other in a restaurant with a cold glass of fizz, and heaven fell down. Why? Because spiritual people don’t drink beer. Or watch movies. Or eat in pubs. Or smoke cigars. Or … fill in the blank.

We all know those things certain Christians call evil and others call good. They range from pant lengths to pew colors. They can be almost anything. And these things raise just as many questions about whether they are right or wrong. If you like to knock down a cold one or feel like R-rated movies are not for Christians, this book will help.

It will help you navigate some of the most challenging aspects of our Christian liberties and teach you how to walk in love. This is how we show the world we belong to Jesus, by having “love for one another” (John 13:35). So, here is what to expect from The Gray Areas.

With the exception of the first, each chapter will focus on a single principle. Each principle will have a single text from which it was derived. We begin the lessons with an introduction aimed at setting a context. Think of it as creating an atmosphere of expectancy. It should get participants thinking in the right direction.

The introduction is followed by opening thoughts. These help frame the context and challenge participants to think more broadly about the subject.

Next, the lesson will focus on a single passage with a key principle for making godly choices in the gray areas. The passage contains background information to explain the text, followed by questions to reflect on its deeper meaning and application.

After the focus text is a comparison text. It follows the same flow as the focus, but is designed to provide an example and additional support for the principle. The commentary and questions will help participants with real-life application. Finally, the conclusion will tie up loose ends and summarize the lesson.

While The Gray Areas may be used in either group or personal study, small groups will benefit from fellowship and personal stories of applying the Word, as well as from ministry and encouragement. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us “iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” In either case, be honest and open. Allow the Spirit of God to work in your heart. You may have to let go of a few things.

Now, get ready to dive into The Gray Areas and equip yourself with principles to make your decisions more clearly black and white.

LESSON ONE

Pattern & Purpose

“do all to the glory of God”

1 CORINTHIANS 10:31

No one does well with blurry vision. To successfully perform many of our daily activities, we need the ability to see clearly. We can't drive safely without clear sight. We can't write legibly without seeing our pen strokes. We can't build, climb, or clean well without clear vision. For this reason, many of us depend on corrective lenses, or someone else who sees clearly, to help us. Clarity is critical for daily living.

In order to successfully navigate life as Christians, we turn to God’s Word. Not only does it give us clear vision, but it answers big questions. God’s Word is our guide for daily living and provides the path to eternal life in Christ.

The basic truths of Scripture are simple enough that even a child can understand them. Theologians use the term perspicuity to describe this reality. The Westminster Confession says “those things that are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded.” These things are the explicit truths--the black and white teachings of Scripture. On the other hand, specific issues like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcoholic beverages, dancing, eating certain foods, or worshiping on certain days of the week are often debated within the church. These topics appear to be distant and blurry.

Believers among the various Christian denominations maintain strong feelings and sharp disagreements regarding these topics. We often refer to these as “gray” areas of the Bible. They are normally taught in Scripture through principles or types rather than explicit permissions or prohibitions. While one believer is persuaded that a woman should not wear makeup, jeans, or cut her hair, another believer is persuaded to allow it. Likewise, someone may refuse to watch movies at the theater while another person loves to do so. Still, another believer is convinced watching television is wrong but has friends who say otherwise.

Opening Questions

1. What are some of the truths in Scripture that can be clearly understood? How often do Christians disagree on these?

2. What are some of the “gray” areas in the Bible? What makes them blurry? Why do you think Scripture would be seemingly quiet about them?

Pattern

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul ended his teaching on gray areas with this statement: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” As founder of the Corinthian church, it was Paul’s duty to be their example. Along with the other apostles and their closest disciples, Paul was the standard for spirituality and godly character. At that time, the church didn’t have mass-produced, leather-bound Bibles with footnotes. They relied on the apostles and the prophets of the Old Testament to teach them how to live for God.

Paul’s point was for the church to follow his example as he followed the example of Christ. He was Jesus’ apostle, appointed to train others not only in word, but also in action. This is why church leaders are called to such a high standard (1 Tim. 3).

Today, we read the words of Paul and other apostles in Scripture, and we learn to pattern our lives after their words and deeds. Ultimately, we look to the principles of God’s Word for direction. They allow us to clearly see the right choices.

1. Read 2 Peter 1:3 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17. How do these verses help you establish a pattern of behavior? Are Peter’s and Paul’s words trustworthy? Why or why not?

2. Which scriptures have helped you establish a new pattern of behavior? How did you encounter them?

3. Read Hebrews 4:12-13. What is meant by “piercing to the division of soul and of spirit” and “discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart?” How does this help us make the gray areas clear?

4. What do these verses reveal about your decision making?

Purpose

With an understanding of how to pattern our behavior, it is also important to know the purpose for making righteous decisions. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul wrote, “Do all to the glory of God.” The purpose is simple, but the implications are complex. It is evident by Paul’s writings to the Corinthians that they were seeking to be glorified rather than seeking to glorify God. Paul revealed their arrogance by sarcastically comparing the church to the apostles: “We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute” (1 Cor. 4:10).

Paul also reproved the Corinthians for being “puffed up” and self-centered (1 Cor. 4:6, 18, 19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4). They were so prideful and selfish, Paul devoted an entire chapter to defining love. He emphasized that love is not self-seeking (1 Cor. 13:5), but God-seeking (1 Cor. 13:6-8). As followers of Christ, our purpose for making righteous decisions is to seek the glory of God and to show selfless love toward others.

1. In your own words, define the “glory of God” as communicated in the text. How can you “do all to the glory of God”?

2. In obeying God, we actively do (or abstain from doing) things with the purpose of seeking His glory. How does this help us to make gray areas clear?

3. Earlier in his epistle to the Corinthians, Paul commanded them “not to go beyond what is written” (1 Cor. 4:6). How does this teaching relate to gray areas?

Conclusion

God would never expect us to obey Him by making right decisions if He did not first tell us how to make them. As we have learned, God speaks through the principles, purposes, and patterns revealed in His Word. He makes clear what we call blurry. Through carefully applying these elements of Scripture, gray areas begin to sharpen into focus and become distinctly black and white.

LESSON TWO

Principle of Expedience

“not all things are helpful”

1 Corinthians 6:12

Scripture reveals clear patterns set by the prophets and apostles. These patterns help us navigate the gray areas of decision making. Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God through decisions that reflect the character of Christ. In the remaining lessons, we will examine principles in Scripture to help guide us into a life of godly obedience.

The first lesson in our series is the principle of expedience. The dictionary defines expedience as “a regard for what is politic or advantageous rather than for what is right or just; a sense of self-interest.”

When considering the meaning of expedience, thoughts of today’s fast-paced environment come to mind. For example, banks now offer check cards instead of paper checks. Account holders have immediate access to their bank funds in their pockets. While the convenience of paying by check card is more popular than carrying cash, it can also lead to mindless spending.

Expedience surrounds us. With the increase of technology and rise of intelligence, our daily activities have become faster and easier to perform. Check-out cashiers are being replaced by interactive computers. Bills can be paid online. Our primary means of communication resides in a small handheld device that enables anyone to reach us anywhere. All of these things are helpful innovations that make our lives more efficient. They speed up mundane processes and free up time for other things.

The Bible was written long before these conveniences, so we won’t find any chapters or verses about cell phone etiquette or microwave dangers. These are illustrations of the choices and trends we encounter that can serve as helps or hindrances. It all depends on how we use our “expedient” choices.

Opening Questions

1. What are some inventions that have made your life easier and more convenient? How many of these things would you be reluctant to surrender for a time?

2. Do modern inventions hinder your obedience to God? If so, how? In what ways can they make it easier for you to obey God?

Focus Text

‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful.

-- 1 Corinthians 6:12

Since many of our lessons are based on Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church, it is important to understand their context. It would be easy to draw a correlation between the ancient city of Corinth and the modern, liberally-minded cities of our day. As you may recall, the Corinthian church was under heavy rebuke from the apostle Paul. He said they were acting like children and being ignorant (1 Cor. 12:1; 14:20), so he told them to grow up. Their immature behavior was so self-seeking, they began excusing their wickedness by twisting Scripture.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul quoted a commonly used phrase understood by the people of Corinth: “All things are lawful for me.” Word-for-word translations read, “All things are permitted.” The phrase might have been coined by Paul himself in an earlier teaching about Christian liberty (Gal. 5:1-15), but the origin is not certain. At some point, the Corinthians twisted its meaning to excuse their sinful lusts. When caught in the act of sinning, they made light of their actions by replying, “All things are permitted for me.”

In response to their flagrant disrespect for God’s Word, Paul exposed them to the true meaning of the phrase. It meant where the Bible is silent, Christians are free to do what pleases them, but only as governed by godly principles. In other words, we are not free to sin. We are free to obey.

1. Are there conveniences in your life that are disabling your spiritual growth? If so, what are they? As you save time and effort, what more valuable things are being lost?

2. Has there been a time in your life when you chose convenience over obedience to God? Explain.

3. What are some conveniences that feed impatience? How can we practice patience in our fast-paced environment?

Comparison Text

Saul was the first king over Israel. After a successful battle against the Ammonites (1 Sam. 11:14-15), he was reconfirmed as king and his primary action was fighting the Philistines and Amalekites (1 Sam. 13-15). However, the opposing nations would not be easily overtaken. They mounted up against the Israelites by the multitudes.

Samuel said to the new king, “Go before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do” (1 Sam. 10:8). If Saul followed the Lord’s commands, he could be sure of victory in battle, regardless of Israel's limited military force or pressure from opposing forces. In Gilgal, Saul was put to the test: expedience or obedience.

Read 1 Samuel 13:2-14 and answer the following questions.

1. Where did King Saul go wrong? What caused him to disobey God?

2. What were the repercussions for Saul’s disobedience? How does this example relate to the principle of expedience?

3. When might convenience or expedience cross the line of obedience? What pressures to cross the line do we face? How can we withstand them?

Conclusion

It is certainly not a sin to take the easier or more convenient way. In fact, these ways can be very helpful in serving God. But when doing what is convenient or expedient violates God’s will, it becomes disobedience--it becomes sin. The pressures of timid people, time, and threatening enemies caused Saul to act in expedience over obedience. And ultimately, the result was costly (1 Sam. 13:11-14).

When navigating gray areas of decision making, we should consider God’s will and pleasure before our convenience and comfort. As believers, our priority is to honor God in our lives. Examine the conveniences you rely on and ask yourself if the Lord would have you do something that might inconvenience you but glorify Him.

LESSON THREE

Principle of Edification

“not all things build up”

1 Corinthians 10:23

“If you have ever built a home, you know firsthand the seemingly endless array of decisions to be made on carpet colors, paint textures, light fixtures, and so on. At the same time, the builder is working hard on the foundation and the framework, a process that requires intricate architecture and supervision and can span months or sometimes years. Building a strong home demands precision craftsmanship. We want our homes to look beautiful, but we also want them to be well-constructed and long-lasting.

The Bible uses the analogy of building a home to illustrate both the character of a believer and the process of growing spiritually. The word most often used in these parables is edify, which literally means “to build a home.” In 1 Corinthians 3:9, Paul calls the human soul the building or “home” of God. This does not mean that God takes up space inside our bodies. He dwells with us in our hearts and minds.

In this life, there are two buyers for our home: God and Satan. Although both might seek residence in our lives to build up their kingdoms, only God has the perfect blueprint to craft flawless souls. With God the Father as our builder, Jesus as supervisor, and the Holy Spirit as the laborer, we can have righteous homes--souls that bring glory to God. While we are on this earth, God is carefully crafting our souls to have eternal value. Let’s see what we can learn from the Master Builder.”

Opening Questions

1. What are some things you enjoy? Which of these things benefit you or others spiritually? Which of these things could possibly damage you or others spiritually? Explain.

2. When the Bible speaks about edifying or building up another, what do you think it means? How can one build up another person?

Focus

‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up.

-- 1 Corinthians 10:23

Again, we return to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. And again, he used the phrase “All things are lawful,” or, as we learned in the last lesson, “All things are permitted.” But this time, he concluded his statement explaining that not all things Christians are permitted to do have spiritual benefits. In fact, some things can be spiritually damaging to a believer.

The verse following our text reads, “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor” (1 Cor. 10:24). We should be seeking to build up others before ourselves. This was one of the Corinthians’ core problems. They were very self-seeking and erroneously used spiritual gifts to show off (1 Cor. 12, 14). They were also cliquish and made it known they preferred certain leaders (1 Cor. 1:10-17). The Corinthian believers were so stuck on themselves, Paul’s rebuking of their behavior is found in over 28 chapters, including one entire chapter on selflessness (1 Cor. 13). Paul commanded them to seek the edification of others before themselves.

1. What is the danger of standing on erroneous construction? By whom and how should the construction be corrected?

2. Why do you think misconstructions of the soul happen during a believer’s spiritual growth? Are you aware of areas of misconstruction in your life? Explain.

3. Why do you think God wants us to build up others before ourselves? Is it wrong to build yourself up? What “material” should you use for building up according to God’s plan?

Comparison Text

When Paul rebuked the church for seeking self-edification, he had just concluded his famous chapter about love, teaching them that godly love does not seek to edify self (1 Cor. 13:5).

In their desire to build up their prideful egos, the Corinthian church was seeking more showy gifts that would imply that they were more spiritual than others. Their assemblies were more of a “show and tell” gathering than a true fellowship of believers. However, instead of just rebuking their false imitation of a spiritual gift, Paul focused on the core problem. They were seeking to edify themselves publicly, which is edification rooted in pride. At the self-centered Corinthian church, it was a constant tug-of-war over who was the greatest.

Paul gave them an alternative. He encouraged them to seek to prophesy because it edifies the community of believers. It is also important to note that prophecy is a spiritual gift that can be examined and tested, as opposed to the gift of tongues. Thus, Paul was calling them to a more challenging gift. His idea was to utilize their eagerness to build up by setting their passion on another track.

Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 and answer the following questions.

1. According to the passage, who should we focus on building up? What can we learn from this passage in relation to our focus text (1 Cor. 10:23)?

2. In this particular lesson, our responsibility outside of the church is no different from that inside--we must always seek to edify others. What profit does edifying others yield? What happens when we seek to edify ourselves?

3. What does building others up mean in our decision making? From your list in question 1, what things are easier to discern now? Explain.

Conclusion

It is easy to get caught up in a prideful tug-of-war with others. Pride is a dangerous and insidious sin, and it caused Satan to fall and lose his place in God’s kingdom. When building a healthy, strong home for God’s Spirit, it is important to make choices that first promote the edification of others. If your tough decision cannot be made by applying the principle of expedience, then consider the principle of edification. Does your choice build up others in accord with God’s Word?

LESSON FOUR

Principle of Excess

“lay aside every weight”

Hebrews 12:1

In his younger years, Frank was a marathon enthusiast. As opportunities to participate in races became available, he often ran toward the finish line driven by an eager desire to win. Today, Frank is a Bible teacher whose experience in running races provides rich illustrations for important life lessons. The Bible also includes references to running and racing, and we will explore them in this lesson.

A marathon is a race of strength and endurance rather than speed. While other races clock the fastest time over a short distance, marathons span 26.2 miles and take hours to complete. For most marathoners, the goal is not to finish first, but simply to finish the race. Such is the attitude of Frank, who believes going the distance is reward in itself.

When running a marathon, distance is a small obstacle compared to the many seemingly harmless things that can slow a runner down, lead to exhaustion, or worse, prevent the runner from completing the race. For example, ingesting too many beverages from sideline assistants can cause cramping that makes the finish line unattainable. The wrong clothing can also serve as a weight that hinders speed and strength. Of course, preparation is also critical to successfully completing a marathon. An unhealthy diet limits a runner’s ability to endure, and poor training can lead to a variety of crippling injuries.

The Bible calls our spiritual journey a “race of faith.” It is the illustration of living with the highest prize in sight: seeing Christ in heaven. Paul implores believers to strive to finish the race by not giving way to the noise and distractions of this world and the excess weight that might slow us down in the long run.

Opening Questions

1. What are some things that slow believers down in their “walk” with Christ?

2. What are some pleasurable things that can slow you down in the “race of faith”? In what ways might others slow your ability to run full speed for Christ?

Focus

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

-- Hebrews 12:1

This scripture immediately follows the famous “hall of faith” chapter, where Paul recognized the heroes of our faith. He pointed out how each one endured torment, turmoil, and temptation. Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain (Heb. 11:4). Enoch had a true faith that believed in eternal reward (Heb. 11:5). Noah prepared the ark while others ridiculed him (Heb. 11:7). Later, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and others are mentioned for their undying faith and commitment to reach the finish line in Christ (Heb. 11:8-40).

They all had the mindset of Christ, as described in the next verses: “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb. 12:2-3). Before thinking about the peer pressure, the hardships, and the ridicule, they considered Christ, who endured much more for them.

These hall of faith heroes laid aside the excess baggage that served as opposition to their end goal. The Bible describes excess or “weight” as “dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life” (Luke 21:34-36). Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language are to be put away (Col. 3:8; 1 Peter 2:1-2; James 1:21). Such things can slow us down in the race of faith if they are not laid aside.

1. Who is the “cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 12:1? Why are they a factor in our race of faith?

2. Hebrews 12:1 charges us to lay aside “weight” and “sin.” What is the difference between a weight and a sin?

3. What are some “weights” that slow you down in the race of faith? What things do you do that might slow others down?

Comparison Text

When Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, his son in the faith (1 Tim. 1:2), he was traveling through cities carrying the message of the gospel. He left Timothy behind at Ephesus to train the believers in his absence, who were apparently struggling with false doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3-7; 4:1-3; 6:3-5), disorder in worship (1 Tim. 2), the need for qualified leaders (1 Tim. 3), and materialism (1 Tim. 6:6-19). In 1 Timothy 6, Paul gave him instructions on what he should do.

In verse 6, we read the most profound statement as it relates to our lesson: “godliness with contentment is great gain.” The opposite of excess is contentment. It is the formula for successful racing. The Greek word means “self-sufficiency” and was used by philosophers to describe a person who was unmoved by external circumstances.

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10 and 6:17-19, and answer the following questions.

1. According to the passages, what are some of the dangers of discontentment? What are some of the reasons for discontentment?

2. It is important to note that Paul does not condemn having much. Rather, he condemns the desire to have much. What is Paul’s remedy for those who suffer from a heart of excess?

3. What challenges does excess present in your race of faith? What things can be laid aside in your life for greater success in the race?

Conclusion

The basic necessities of life should make us content. Paul does not condemn having possessions if God graciously provides them (1 Tim. 6:17). He does, however, condemn a self-indulgent desire for things, which results from discontentment. In our decision making, we should separate those things that are useful from those that are excess baggage. If something is slowing you down from obtaining a promising, rewarding life in Christ, then it should be laid aside. Ask God to make you aware of those things that are excesses in your life and pray that you can lay them aside for His glory.

LESSON FIVE

Principle of Enslavement

“I will not be dominated by anyone”

1 Corinthians 6:12

Most of us loved cartoons as children. Just the mention of “Looney Tunes” is likely to trigger fond memories of Saturday morning high jinks. For a moment, recall the stories of the “wascally wabbit,” Bugs Bunny, and his pompous predator, Elmer Fudd. Elmer’s main purpose was to catch rabbits, namely Bugs. However, the intelligent rabbit was far too keen for him. At the end of each cartoon, Elmer was empty-handed. On some occasions, he would devise entrapments to lure Bugs, such as a tempting bunch of carrots that, if grabbed, would cause a cage to drop and capture the prey. It was Elmer’s foolproof plan, but Bugs was no fool. He always figured out a way to escape.

In like manner, there are things that tempt us. Though they might seem innocent and pleasurable, they entrap us, much like a snare. Enticements come in many forms. Some people are enticed to abuse alcohol and nicotine. Others are taken in by excessive sleep and food. Still, others are entrapped by the relentless pursuit of tattoos and parties. All of these things can become very addictive, turning into a veritable cage of enslavement.

Opening Questions

1. In addition to the potential traps mentioned above, what are some other things that can grip your life, taking your freedom hostage?

2. Of the things listed in question 1, which are exceedingly difficult to overcome and why? Why would being trapped by these things be physically and spiritually harmful to your life?

Focus

‘All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be dominated by anything.

-- 1 Corinthians 6:12

In this often misused passage, Paul stated although something is permitted, it should not rule over us. The Greek word for “dominated” or “enslaved” (exousiasthesamai) means “brought under power” or “mastered.” In fact, some translations render this text to read “I will not be mastered by any.” It is an idea rooted in the literal definition of slavery. A slave is the property of his master, thus he does exactly as his master desires. He is controlled by his owner.

In Luke 16:13, when Jesus was teaching about money, He stated, “No servant can serve two masters.” He was communicating that no one can be a slave to Christ and to money at the same time. One either chooses to seek money or chooses to seek and serve God. In Mark 10:17-25, Jesus was approached by a rich man seeking salvation. To the rich man’s disappointment, Christ told him to give all of his riches to the poor and follow Him. The rich man was locked in the vice grip of greed and chose to keep his wealth instead of obeying Christ and attaining salvation. In this story, we learn the valuable lesson that we must be totally mastered by God and nothing else. His desire and not our own must come first.

1. One translation of 1 Corinthians 6:12b uses the word “power.” To what power is it referring to? What does it mean to be mastered by God?

2. What things in your life have become traps? What damage have you noticed in your life because of them?

Comparison Text

The sacrament of baptism serves as an outward symbol that we have buried our life of sin and have been raised to a new life in Christ. The Bible says we are dead to sin. Just as a corpse is oblivious to the living, we are no longer enticed by sin. When we are born anew in Christ, He gives us the awesome ability to seek and respond to God. But without Christ, we are utterly unable to respond to God. In Christ, we are not only alive, but we find abundant life.

In Romans 6, Paul solidified his point with the illustration of masters and slaves. If someone is dead to God and alive to sin, he is a slave to sin. In contrast, if you are alive to God and dead to sin, you are a slave to God. Whatever claims your devotion ultimately masters you. Once we are mastered by God, we are literally freed from the power of sin (Rom. 6:7).

Read Romans 6:5-14 and answer the following questions.

1. In Romans 6:9, Paul stated “death no longer has dominion over [Jesus],” and in verse 14, he said “sin will have no dominion over you” while you are alive to Christ. What do you think this means?

2. According to the text, in what ways does being a slave to sin differ from being a slave to God? What are the costs and benefits in either condition?

3. Romans 6:13 says “present...your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” Instead of activities that enslave, to what kinds of activities should we devote ourselves?

4. What challenges has the study of enslavement presented to you? What steps will you take to obtain your freedom from any entrapments?

Conclusion

Sin has terrible power to enslave. In Romans 6:23, Paul warned believers, “For the wages of sin is death.” In the end, sin’s entrapment holds us for that reason. However, it is important to note that enslavement does not necessarily mean bad things have you in their grip. Good things can also keep you from God’s best. Before making any decision, it is always wise to stop and ask yourself, “Am I at risk of finding myself in bondage if I pursue this?”

LESSON SIX

Principle of Equivocation

“not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil”

1 Peter 2:16

Whether we recognize it or not, decisions that fall into the gray areas are a daily part of every believer's life. When we drink a soda, drive a car, or interact at work, we are making decisions that are seemingly innocuous, thus they are considered gray. We usually take these decisions for granted because we are free to do these things. However, there are times when we use our freedoms to do wrong.

For instance, Nate’s mom and dad had a simple rule: He had to clean his room before going out to play with friends. It was a request that didn't require much effort. He only needed to hang his clothes, make his bed, straighten his desk, and perform a few other tasks before he left. It was a task that would most likely take no more than ten minutes, but he was young and wanted to have fun.

Nate was usually preoccupied in class with all he would do after school. During the bus ride, he and his friends would compile a list of activities. But when Nate got home, he would hear his mom say, “Make sure your room is clean before you run out there.” That's when temptation would hit him. Through the window, Nate could see his friends already racing about on their bikes and scooters. His heart would beat rapidly, torn between what he knew he was supposed to do and what he would rather do. Too scared to simply ignore his parents’ rule, Nate would quickly shove everything under the bed and pull the covers over his mess, before calling out, “Bye, Mom. My room is clean!”

Opening Questions

1. How often do you excuse yourself from doing things correctly? Give a real life example.

2. The word equivocate means "to use evasive or misleading language." What are some biblical stories where evasive language was used? Why do you think the person resorted to equivocation? What was the result?

Focus

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

-- 1 Peter 2:16

At the time Peter wrote these words, Rome was rife with the persecution of Christians and Jews. However, they were not suffering for their faith, but for their ethnicity. A destructive wildfire had spread throughout Rome, utterly destroying its history and culture. The Roman people were so angry about the devastation, Emperor Nero's life was threatened. Out of fear for his life, Nero blamed the Christians, using them as his scapegoat. He told the people that the Christians started the fire to destroy Roman religious antiquities. The Romans accepted this lie with ease, since they associated Christians with Jews, a people they considered hostile. Thus widespread persecution of both Christians and Jews began.

Peter wrote this letter to the believers in Rome who were in hiding because their lives were in danger. He wanted to encourage them in the faith and remind them to look forward to heaven and not at their current circumstances. He implored them to live righteously in the midst of torment. He called them God's people and loved ones.

Later in the passage, he commanded believers to obey the laws of the government. In those days, it would have been very tempting for believers to act in retaliation or anger. When an entire city is behaving like enraged avengers, it would seem right to blend in for survival, but not according to God. Peter shared how God wanted them to respond. In the midst of strong temptation, they were urged to be Christlike (1 Peter 2:21). He stated obedience to the Lord would silence persecutors (1 Peter 2:15).

1. 1 Peter 2:16 begins with "live as people who are free," followed by the phrase "not using your freedom." Peter stated his audience was "free" and must not use their "freedom" in the wrong way. Explain what you think this means.

2. In this passage, the word "cover-up" is the same word used in reference to an overcoat that covers your entire body (2 Tim. 4:13; Matt. 5:40). What do you think Peter was implying by using this word?

3. Instead of using our freedom to do everything we want, Peter recommended an alternative. What is the alternative and what does it imply?

Comparison Text

As we know, Paul was aware of believers using their freedom in Christ as a license to fulfill their fleshly desires. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul said although "all things are permitted," there are principles to govern them. In his letter to Timothy, Paul was telling him to be aware of people who use their freedom to do evil.

Timothy was to carry on Paul's work (2 Tim. 2:2), however, it was becoming evident to Paul that Timothy was in danger of weakening spiritually. This second letter to Timothy was written during the same era that 1 Peter was written. Persecution of Christians was widespread, and Paul was encouraging Timothy to be strong (2 Tim. 2:1) and to continue to "preach the word" (2 Tim. 4:2). It was Paul's concern that believers be obedient to God no matter the circumstance. He was exhorting Timothy to teach all people the truth of God and not to give in to their cries for easy living, fun, and a watered-down version of the truth.

Read 2 Timothy 4:3-4 and answer the following questions.

1. The passage states some believers will have “itching ears,” will "accumulate for themselves teachers,” and “will turn away from listening to the truth.” Why would professing believers do these things?

2. What do you think would be the motive for someone to falsify God's truth? What repercussions might result from the falsified message?

3. Compare 2 Timothy 4:2-4 with 1 Peter 2:15-16. What do these passages reveal about the duties of the communicators and the hearers of God’s Word?

Conclusion

Many believers use their freedom in gray areas to do whatever they want, and the Bible teaches us this attitude is wrong. Instead, we should exercise godly integrity in our language and actions. Believers are bound to obey Christ and to stay above reproach. We are no longer in bondage to sin, but are able to choose to live for God. We are free to do what is right rather than wrong.

LESSON SEVEN

Principle of Encroachment

“each of us will give an account of himself to God”

Romans 14:12

Mike is married to a woman who loves God with all her heart. Like him, she grew up in church, and their lives were similar in many spiritual aspects. They were both saved at a young age and attended church more days of the week than not. In their youth groups, they were as active as the youth pastors. It seemed as if Mike and his wife were living the same life in different families. They met at church and were later married.

The similarities between Mike and his wife are most fortunate. However, some would say their differences are not quite as fortunate. Although both grew up in church, the beliefs and practices of their church denominations seemed to place them at opposite ends of the Christian spectrum. Because Mike was raised Southern Baptist and his wife United Pentecostal, they differ in sensitive areas. While she grew up not watching television, he grew up glued to prime time. Their church worship experience was also quite different, as was their understanding of biblical teaching. So when they decided to go steady, they were faced with difficult issues to overcome.

Early in their relationship, Mike and his wife had no understanding of Christian liberty. However, their differences proved not to be as unfortunate as some think. The obstacles they were forced to overcome spurred them to grow in Christ. They had to learn how to accept each other’s nonessential persuasions, and they had to commit to laying their freedoms down for one another. Their families call their children “Bapticostals,” which refers to the fact that they will have the best of both worlds.

Today, Mike and his wife are able to unite in Christ. They lovingly disagree in gray areas, having become strong in areas where they were initially weak. While each might be persuaded differently in gray areas, they are united in their persuasion to follow Christ by loving one another and putting each other first.

Opening Questions

1. What gray areas might be sensitive subjects for some believers (i.e., a denominational practice or religious custom)? Which of these gray areas is a sensitive topic for you?

2. Why are these subjects so divisive within the church? Share an example of a time you witnessed division in the church over gray areas.

Focus

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

-- Romans 14:12

The diversity of the church displays Christ’s power to bring together dissimilar people in genuine unity. It was evident to Paul that Satan often works on man’s unredeemed flesh to create disunity and divisions. For this reason, Paul reminded believers they will have to give an account to God for their behavior.

Paul understood that the threat to unity would arise when strong or mature believers engaged in conflict with weaker or immature believers. Strong Jewish believers understood their freedom in Christ and knew the ceremonial requirements of the Mosaic law were no longer binding (Rom. 14:5). Mature Gentiles understood idols are not gods, and they could eat meat that had been offered to them (Rom. 14:2). But in both cases, the weaker brothers’ consciences were troubled, and they were tempted to violate their consciences, which for them would be sin.

Paul directed most of his attention to mature believers, knowing they would understand. He wrote, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions” (Rom. 14:1). The Greek word for “welcome,” or “receive,” as used in other translations, refers to personal and willing acceptance of another. Paul called mature believers to accept those who were weak believers, who were unable to let go of the religious ceremonies and rituals of their past. The weak Jewish believer had difficulty abandoning the old covenant. He felt compelled to adhere to dietary laws, observe the Sabbath, and offer sacrifices in the temple. The weak Gentile believer had been steeped in pagan idolatry and its rituals. He felt that any contact with anything remotely related to his past, including eating meat that had been offered to a pagan deity and then sold in the marketplace, tainted him with sin. Both Jewish and Gentile believers who were weak in their faith had sensitive consciences, thus they were not yet mature enough to be free of old convictions.

In Romans 14:10-13, Paul exalted God’s righteous judgment over man’s judgmental attitude. He asked, “Why do you pass judgment on your brother?” Paul used the words “condemn” and “judge” synonymously. He addressed the fact that the strong hold the weak in contempt as legalistic and self-righteous, and the weak judge the strong to be irresponsible at best and perhaps depraved. Paul continued with a sobering reminder that “we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” These matters are not for us to judge, but for God. Each man should be “fully convinced in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5).

This is the principle of encroachment. It means “to intrude upon the rights or possessions of another.” Paul commanded believers to maintain unity by living in love and by being mindful not to encroach upon another’s conscience.

1. Romans 14 reminds us we will all have to give an account when we face the Judge (God). What do you think this means in general? What does this mean to you personally?

2. In other passages of the Bible, we are commanded to judge and test the doctrines and actions of people, while leaving their motivations alone. What do you think Paul meant when he taught believers not to judge others?

3. How does one “receive” or, in contrast, show contempt for a weaker believer? What is the main goal of someone who receives or shows contempt for a weaker believer?

Comparison Text

Paul had much to say about encroachment. He began by sharing his mature beliefs in regard to one particular area--the eating of unclean meat.

To the Jewish believer, there was a distinction between “clean” and “unclean” animals. God made this distinction in Genesis when Noah took “seven pairs of all clean animals” and “a pair of the animals that are not clean” into the ark (Gen. 7:2). In Leviticus 11 and in Deuteronomy 14, God commanded His remnant to refrain from eating unclean meat to illustrate they were a holy people, or set apart for God.

While the command was temporal and served as an illustration, some Jewish believers were still practicing the law. In fact, they were convinced that they should. In the beginning of Romans 14, Paul made it clear that no meat is considered unclean (cf. Mark 7:15; Acts 10:15; 1 Tim. 4:3-5). Yet, because a weaker brother was totally convinced in his own heart, Paul would restrict his liberty so the brother was not offended (Rom. 14:15). This is what he called the law of love. In Christian liberty and unity, love rules (Rom. 14:15). And by following Paul’s pattern, we can teach the weaker brethren concerning Christian liberties and strengthen them in the faith (Rom. 15:1-2).

Read Romans 14:14-15:2 and answer the following questions.

1. In verse 15, Paul wrote “do not destroy the one for whom Christ died” and paralleled nonessential matters with essentials. What do you think he meant by this?

2. In the next verse, he wrote, “So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.” What are some things you regard as good and how can they be spoken of as evil?

3. Verse 22 in the passage states, “Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.” What does this mean as it relates to conscience?

4. Compare Romans 14:23 with our scriptural text: “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12). How do these verses relate?

Conclusion

Until Christ’s return, the church will consist of mature and immature believers. However, God requires us all to live in unity and love. The Bible teaches us to be aware of other’s consciences as well as our own. We should always be willing to lay aside our liberties for the sake of another believer’s convictions. At the same time, we should be careful not to violate our own consciences. The way of love is the way of Christ. By selflessly loving our brethren, we can help them become more aware of their liberty in Christ.

LESSON EIGHT

Principle of Example

“does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak”

1 Corinthians 8:9

When four-year-old Kyle began imitating his father, Sean, it brought great joy to the proud dad’s heart. Sean first noticed Kyle’s impersonations when he was sitting on the couch watching a cartoon. Kyle crawled up close enough to lean his head against his dad’s side. He then scanned Sean’s body and readjusted himself to mirror his dad’s position completely. He crossed his legs at the shin, slouched forward a bit, and after taking a final glance at Sean, he folded his hands together for the perfect finishing touch. Kyle then paused for a moment, waiting to see if his dad would turn to look. Sean did and was so honored.

As flattering as imitation can be, it can also be very dangerous. Having seen his dad plugging in and unplugging equipment in his home office, Kyle attempted to do the same, fortunately without incident. At four, he doesn’t understand the danger of electrocution. He just wants to be like his dad and loves doing whatever dad does. In these circumstances, Sean must be careful not to do certain things in front of Kyle in order to keep him safe from himself.

Opening Questions

1. Sometimes mature believers do things that are not necessarily wrong, but if someone saw and copied their behavior without understanding the principles behind their actions, it could lead the immature believer to sin. What kind of things might a mature believer enjoy that could lead an immature believer astray? In what ways can these behaviors and practices make the immature believer sin?

2. Have you ever unknowingly stumbled because of another’s example? Has your behavior ever caused another believer to stumble?

Focus

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

-- 1 Corinthians 8:9

In our last lesson, we discussed how the principle of encroachment is the violation of another person’s convictions. We will turn back to some of the lessons from this principle and view them from another aspect in this lesson.

In today's Focus Text, Paul was writing to the Corinthians about the examples they set. He rebuked the mature believers for enjoying their freedom without taking notice of how their actions reflected upon them or affected others. The young in faith were stumbling because of their unscrupulous examples.

In the first verse of chapter 8, Paul wrote, “This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up.” These believers were aware of their liberties in Christ. They did not wrestle with the idea of unclean meat offered to idols. They enjoyed the meat as simply food. They understood there is only one God, so all other gods did not exist, even if they were worshiped (1 Cor. 8:4). But some young believers were not enlightened yet. They refused to eat unclean meat because of their convictions. Thus, when the elders ate, the young stumbled. They either ate against their conscience (Rom. 14:23), became judgmental, or fell back into old behaviors from their life before Christ.

Paul taught them just as John taught in 1 John, that to love is to know God (1 John 4:15-5:1). Love is the proof of knowing God. A mature believer who has knowledge (as the Corinthians boasted) will love others. They will seek to live their life as a good example before all.

1. In 1 Corinthians 8:8, Paul wrote, “Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.” What do you suppose Paul meant? What does this mean to you?

2. 1 Corinthians 8:12 states, “Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.” What do you think this means? How does it apply in your Christian walk?

3. Are there freedoms you currently enjoy that could bring about serious consequences for you or other believers?

Comparison Text

The church in Thessalonica was becoming weary and idle because of their persecution (2 Thess. 1:3-12). While drained and discouraged, false teachers crept in and confused the believers about the Lord’s return (2 Thess. 2:1-5). Some were so lost in their confusion that they were disobeying divine commands, particularly by refusing to work (2 Thess. 3:6-15).

After encouraging the persecuted to be hopeful and to persevere, Paul cleaned up the confusion by correcting the heresies. Then, in this last chapter, he stated his concerns for the church. Some believers were living an undisciplined life. They wanted the luxury of food, but did not want to work for it. They were lazy and idle.

He first taught the mature believers to “keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness” and who was not obeying the Lord's commands. Paul explained that while he had every right not to work for his food (because he was a missionary working for God), he chose to work to provide food for himself because he desired to be an example. He set aside his liberty for charity. He loved his brothers and sisters in Christ more than his freedom.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 and answer the following questions.

1. Compare the Focus Text (1 Cor. 8:9) with our Comparison Text (2 Thess. 3:6-15). What similarities do they share? How do they differ?

2. In two verses, Paul mentioned withdrawing and not keeping company with believers who are disobedient to God's commands (2 Thess. 3:6, 14). What purpose does withdrawing from the disobedient serve and what do you think it will accomplish?

Conclusion

Serving as an example to other believers can sometimes bring about persecution. One may feel lonely in striving to be in the world and not of it. Yet, Paul encouraged believers not to grow weary in doing good, but to persevere (2 Thess. 3:13). As he said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

One aspect of godly love is the practice of laying down our liberties out of love and consideration for others. Being a godly example requires us to consider others before ourselves (Phil. 2:3). It is edifying to young believers to witness mature believers living a holy life through their actions, deeds, words, and behaviors. Before you choose to exercise freedom in the presence of other believers, consider the fact that it may not be the perfect example to set for someone else.

LESSON NINE

Principle of Evangelism

“I might win more of them”

1 Corinthians 9:19

When Megan was younger, she joined a band called RapTure as a songwriter and performer. They were not the typical band seeking fame and fortune. Their desire was to carry the gospel to people who might not otherwise hear it--outcast youths, such as punks, goths, gang members, the poor, and the lonely. Because members of these groups might refuse to listen to the gospel from an ordinary church member or Christian music act, RapTure delivered the message through rap lyrics and hip-hop beats.

Many outreach organizations and events hired RapTure to entertain their audiences. When allowed, Megan and the other members shared the gospel by speaking between songs and after each show. RapTure performed in concert halls and private estates, ghetto clubs and city streets, adjusting their clothing and style of performance to each venue. Instead of wearing the gold watches, designer T-shirts, and expensive shoes of secular rap artists, the band chose to wear what their audience wore. They wanted them to know they were not above them. Because they could easily blend in, RapTure was able to arrive early and interact with audience members. Fitting in with their crowd was critical to the success of their mission. They became like them in order to serve them.

Opening Questions

1. How did you first hear the gospel? Did you relate well to the person who shared it with you? What are some of the effects of not relating to an audience?

2. Do you think the church is passionate about carrying the gospel to all people? Why or why not?

Focus

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

-- 1 Corinthians 9:19

In this passage, Paul shared his desire to win others to the Lord. His motivation was so great, he restricted his liberty in order to relate to others. He said, “To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law” (1 Cor. 9:20-21). Paul was referring to the Jews and Gentiles--those who observed the law (Jews) and those who were lawless (Gentiles). Within the limits of God’s Word and his Christian conscience, Paul was as culturally and socially Jewish as necessary when witnessing to the Jews. He was not bound by the ceremonies and traditions of Judaism, but he was willing to constrain his freedoms out of love for others.

In Acts, we are given several examples of Paul being a Jew among Jews. In chapter 16, verses 13-15, he sat down to join Jews for prayer on the Sabbath, a Jewish day of worship. This simple act resulted in him baptizing Lydia and her household. In Acts 18:18, Paul shaved his head in order to be obedient to a Nazirite vow. Again, in Acts 21:20-26, Paul spoke about his purification. In those days, it was a Jewish custom to be purified after being among Gentiles because you were considered unclean. After he was purified, Paul went through another ceremony to mark the end of his Nazirite vow. Paul's observance of these Jewish customs proved to the Jews that he had not forsaken his Jewish heritage.

Paul continued in 1 Corinthians 9:22, saying he “became weak, that [he] might win the weak.” Paul sought to save Jews, Gentiles, and anyone else who crossed his path by being “all things to all people, that by all means [he] might save some.” His devotion to evangelism was great, and his commitment to connect and relate to others was sincere, without venturing into disobedience by being false or phony. Paul did only those things that God and his conscience permitted (1 Cor. 9:21). His passion was for those who were lost, and he willingly laid aside all liberties his faith in Christ entitled him to in order to evangelize the lost.

1. Paul talked about being a law-abider (Jew) and a lawbreaker (Gentile). If Paul were on earth today, what other personas could he adopt to relate to the people of this age? What personas can you adopt in order to relate to others better?

2. In 1 Corinthians 9:21, Paul clarified the true meaning of being “all things to all people” so that believers would not take this concept too far. He wrote about becoming one “outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ).” What can you conclude from this verse?

3. In our Focus Text, Paul used the word “win” as if reaching others with the gospel were a competition. Why do you think he did this? Who or what was he competing against?

Comparison Text

Paul used the illustration of a race to describe the discipline, self-control, and focus all believers should demonstrate as they live out their faith in Christ.

The Greeks enjoyed two great athletic events--the Olympic games and the Isthmian games. Because the Isthmian games were held in Corinth, believers there were quite familiar with the analogy of running to win. Paul stated although all may run a race, only one receives the prize. However, unlike the Isthmian races, where competitors strive for worldly crowns that will one day perish, believers strive for imperishable crowns.

In the race of faith, we run for an eternal reward that is far better than anything this world offers. We run for God’s pleasure and glory. As we have studied, it is important to lay aside anything that hinders us from reaching our goal. We must make our run count. Paul said he was not running with uncertainty like a boxer who waves his arms without effect, but with careful discipline in order to be approved. He closed the passage by saying he brought his liberties under control so he would not be disqualified when preaching to others. When Paul made an effort, he wanted it to count.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and answer the following questions.

1. In the Focus Text, we discussed how Paul used the word “win” to describe converting others to Christianity. Now, in our Comparison Text, we see that Paul again used the language of competition to describe our race of faith. What did Paul win? What do we win?

2. What did Paul mean when he wrote about bringing his body under control? What are some ways you can bring your body under control?

3. Paul said he did all things possible to not be “disqualified.” What do you think he was referring to? How does the idea of being disqualified relate to our lesson?

Conclusion

Jesus gave us the Great Commission to make disciples of men. He commanded us to go into the world and proclaim His truth to people of all nations. If a message is not given in loving service to others, it is no message at all. If God’s truth has not transformed our lives, why should we expect others to be changed when we teach them? The race of faith not only calls for a sound knowledge of God, but also a walk that demonstrates our commitment to Christ. If our true passion is to win others, then our love will take precedence over our freedom. We must live as an example to the world so that we may evangelize the lost.

LESSON THREE

Principle of Execration

“you also are to love one another”

John 13:34-35

Our study has taken us through eight principles to make the gray areas clear. In essence, we have learned to seek the well-being of others over ourselves. From convenience to self-discipline, from inner struggle to outer peace, from example to evangelism, we have learned that true love is found in the action of those who serve others.

Most of the lessons have been geared to the service of other believers. But considering all principles, one still remains. It has surfaced in our other lessons, but demands full attention. It is the principle of execration. The word execration is a synonym for “condemnation.” In context, it refers to the condemning of yourself by refusing to love another believer. It is a description of disunity.

It is best understood in the illustration of the body. We are made up of many parts, yet all parts are uniquely placed together as one. Though they act individually, their purpose is for the body as a whole. When we stump a toe, the rest of the body reacts. The legs strengthen and send circulation to the foot. The hands reach down to comfort. The vocal cords cry out, “Ouch!” Each part serves a unique purpose, yet they all work for the same goal--soothing the ache. No part is so unique that it can operate independently of the others. Your legs cannot decide to go rest in bed while the arms remain in the kitchen cleaning dishes. Rather, they all work collectively as one body.

When one body part does not operate in a way that helps the rest of the body, it causes division. In human work processes, it causes one to condemn another. The Bible calls the church the body of Christ, an illustration of the Christian community. Like the human body, believers work collectively for the same end. And in like manner, we must seek unity at all times.

Opening Questions

1. Have you ever been in a situation where no matter what decision you made, it offended someone? What principles from our study come to mind when you consider these situations?

2. If your decision would offend either a believer or an unbeliever, to whom would you show love by not offending them?

Focus

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

-- John 13:34-35

Usually you hear this verse as parallel to the Golden Rule (as defined in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 7:12), which states that one should love others as he loves himself. It means just as much as we look out for our well-being, we should more so look out for the well-being of other people.

But in this particular passage, Christ was saying something more. He was sitting at the table with the twelve disciples, the night before His arrest and crucifixion, to announce His departure. He began in verse 33, saying, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’”

After His announcement, He immediately proceeded with this great command: “love one another: just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). He was about to leave them, and His focus was not that they remember everything He said, nor that they be bold in their proclamation of the gospel. Rather, it was a simple call to love. It had to be important.

We have discussed love throughout our lessons as the laying down of our liberties, pleasures, and lives for the sake of others. It is selfless and not selfish. It calls us to seek the well-being of others before seeking our own. Grasping this concept is understanding the ease of Christian liberty.

The Greek words tell us even more about what Christ was commanding. We find it evident in verse 35: “by this all people will know that you are my disciples.” It has a hint of our last lesson in (Principle of Evangelism), but it is much more specific.

The Greek word for “another” literally means “mutual others.” It does not refer to all people other than yourself, but all people like you. It is those others who are the same. Jesus was using this word to mean other believers. He was telling His disciples to first love other believers and that by this “all people will know that you are my disciples.”

1. How does loving other believers illustrate that we are disciples of Christ? Why does it draw attention?

2. Deuteronomy 6:5 commanded love for God and Leviticus 19:18 commanded loving one’s neighbor, so this was not a new commandment. What did Christ mean in verse 34 when He said, “A new command I give to you”? Why is this important?

3. What are some examples of Christ exemplifying this kind of love with the disciples?

Comparison Text

Our last principle returns to where we began. We have backtracked to find the purpose, pattern, and the principles to clear our gray areas. This portion of Scripture is a short illustration of our final principle. Paul painted the picture to set up the most difficult gray area of them all (1 Cor. 10:25-33): What do you do when any choice you make will offend?

In Paul’s scenario, two believers are invited to dinner at an unbeliever’s home. The unbelieving host is serving meat. Paul’s first command was to avoid causing problems over food being clean or unclean. It would be more edifying and helpful to just be grateful and eat.

But then Paul threw a wrench in the mix. He said the other believer, who is immature in matters of meat offered to idols, would be violating his own conscience if he were to eat from the plate set before him. His conviction would scream, “This has been offered in sacrifice.” As we just learned, it would be better not to eat the dinner for his sake.

That decision would create another dilemma. If both believers do not eat the food, the unbelieving host might get upset. To a loving Christian with a passion for the sinner, that would seem like a lost attempt at evangelism. On the other hand, if the mature believer eats the meat in order to “become all things to all men,” he could surely crush the faith of the immature believer. It is a catch-22. Someone will be offended.

Paul echoed Christ’s command that we should love our brethren before all others. His instruction pointed out that the unbeliever might envy your undying unity and charity for each other. It could easily push the host to be more anxious to know your God. In fact, that is exactly what Jesus said it would do: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples.” Moreover, one cannot truly give thanks to God for food by which another believer stumbles.

Read 1 Corinthians 10:25-33 and answer the following questions.

1. Why is brotherly love our strongest witness? What does it communicate to unbelievers about Jesus Christ?

2. The idea in Paul’s scenario is not that we are commanded to offend unbelievers, but that we are to love our fellow believers most. What are some examples of this in Scripture? What about in your life?

3. How does this principle relate to the entire Gray Areas series? What can we learn from Paul's scenario?

Conclusion

Scripture teaches that our love for other believers is the strongest witness we have. In our lives, we should be seeking to glorify God in all things, including how we love. Since we will certainly be held accountable for our decisions, making the righteous choice should be our passion and pursuit. We look to the prophets and apostles in Scripture and our Most High example, Jesus Christ, for patterns to follow. And when we practice the principles we have studied in God’s Word, the gray areas become quite clear to us.

About the Author

Hi. My name is Jacob Abshire and I am desperate for Jesus Christ. He is my way, truth, and life. My wife agrees--for herself, that is. She is equally desperate. Together, we love to call Him ours.

We also love to raise our four children to call on Jesus the same way. We live in Houston--the greatest “country” in the United States. We love to worship with our spiritual family at Northeast Houston Baptist Church.

My joy in life is to use creative means to bring others closer to God’s word in order to find the riches of God’s truth for the glory of God’s son. In other words, I am “creatively making disciples.” One of the ways I do this is by writing. First, I write at my personal blog (jacobabshire.com) where I turn up writings about church and family life, ministry, leadership, technology, scripture, and general musings. Second, I write books (because my friends pressure me to). In 2009, I published Forgiveness: A Commentary on Philemon. Three years later, I followed it up with Faith: A Commentary on James. Both are part of an ongoing series I call, “Reader’s Commentaries,” because they are comprehensive commentaries in a readable form. (One readers said that they are for people who hate to read but want to learn the Bible.) I also write small group discussion guides and design artwork consistent with my joy (all of which are available on my site).

For more information, visit my blog. If you have questions, shoot me a message on my contact page. I usually respond the same day.

Grace and peace.