Nearly 2,000 years ago, the church in Corinth sent a list of questions to the Apostle Paul for him to answer.
In our study today, Paul tackles another question from the Corinthians that is fully loaded and potentially divisive for the church then and for churches today. A question about matters of the conscience/heart.

Question: HOW DO YOU DECIDE THE “GRAY” AREAS WHEN SCRIPTURE IS SILENT?
• NO WORRIES? I do whatever I want!
• NO REST? I am probably wrong a lot or others aren’t doing what I think is right! Both of the above responses are wrong!

Living for Christ in LIBERTY is properly blending/balancing LOVE and KNOWLEDGE.

There are TWO ditches to be avoided at all cost!
• Avoid the ditch on one side CHRISTIAN LIBERTY that is of LICENTIOUSNESS – “I can do whatever I believe is right!”
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• Avoid the ditch on the other side of CHRISTIAN LIBERTY that is of LEGALISM – “You should do whatever I believe is right!”

3 Reasons why following Christ in LIBERTY is FAR BETTER than falling into LEGALISM or LICENTIOUSNESS…
I. Building others up in LOVE is superior to puffing ourselves up in KNOWLEDGE (8:1) – Love is essential!
II. Claiming to have superior KNOWLEDGE, beyond what is written in Scripture, reveals the need for increased GENUINE KNOWLEDGE (v.2) – this is an arrogant posture that reveals a significant lack of love and lack of true knowledge.
III. Having been KNOWN by God is demonstrated in an ABIDING LOVE for God and ALL that God LOVES (v.3) – Paul masterfully makes his point!

One of the greatest displays of a genuine believer has been loved by God is that they have been given a love for brothers and sisters in Christ that refuses to ever give up!

Conclusion: I have quoted the wisdom of trustworthy church leaders of bygone centuries… “In essentials UNITY, in non-essentials LIBERTY, in all things CHARITY.”