Free Behind the Fence

1 Corinthians 8:7-13
7 But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

A village was situated on a hilltop. Surrounding it was a fence, which covered a fairly large perimeter. The fence had only one gate through which the villagers moved in and out. It kept the citizens in and kept strangers out. Houses had no doors because people trusted one another. The fence also kept children from falling off sharp cliffs. Little ones were free to play in the open fields. The community was busy and there was much laughter and joy. One day at a village council meeting, some people complained that the fence was restrictive. They felt they could not roam freely. Others disagreed. After many days of hot debate and deliberation, the council finally decided to tear down the perimeter fence.

When it was removed, the village changed significantly. Strangers came to the village and many things were reported stolen from homes. People began to build doors to safeguard their property. They became less trusting and open. Some boys almost fell off a cliff while at play. Parents began to forbid their children to go outside. The village became much quieter and no laughter was heard in the fields.

We often think that freedom means no limits. But ironically, we enjoy true freedom only behind the fence—one that is established by the omniscient and omnipotent God to protect us and not just to bind us. These limits are found in God’s Word and are to be observed in our lives.

As Christians, we have found freedom in Jesus, but it is not without boundaries. We are not free to do anything we like. The exercise of our Christian freedom must not become a stumbling block to the weak. In 1 Corinthians 6:12, we see that our freedom should not cause us to act without self-control or respond in the wrong way. Let’s enjoy our freedom and let’s also appreciate God’s fence! —Lim Chien Chong

bottom line: Christians are free from sin, but not free to sin.

soul journey