5 License to Love

Judgement Decisions based on broad Biblical principles. For example, Birth Control: Exodus 20:13 - No Murder Leviticus 19:18 - Love of Self I Timothy 5:8 - Care of Family

Discretion Decisions that include Bible principles and the effect on others.

The specific issue License to Love “Is eating meat sacrificed to idols a sin?”

Those who practice idolatry are guilty of idolatry. Paul’s response: Those who practice idolatry are guilty of idolatry.

Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. - I Corinthians 8:4

5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. - I Corinthians 8:5-6

Not everyone sees this in the same way you do.

However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. - I Corinthians 8:7

Food can’t make you holy or unholy.

But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. - I Corinthians 8:8

License to Love The specific issue The Broad Principle What to do when something isn’t a sin but feels sinful?

Love is higher than knowledge. Paul’s Response: Love is higher than knowledge.

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. - I Corinthians 8:1

2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. - I Corinthians 8:2-3

Christians have a license to love.

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. - I Corinthians 8:9

For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? - I Corinthians 8:10

11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. - I Corinthians 8:11-12

How far should we go?

Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. - I Corinthians 8:13

The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. - Romans 14:3

Who are you to judge the servant of another Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. - Romans 14:4

Judgement Best decision based on what we know.

Discretion Measuring the impact of our decision on others.

It’s not just about what is “Lawful,” it’s also about what is “Loving

God didn’t save us based on what was… Lawful or Fair

God’s decision to save us was based on what was loving!