But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

...

Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to stumble.

1 Corinthians 8:8-9, 13 BSB

The idols had no power in Paul's life and so the food was just that. Food.

Eating it or not eating it is OK.

When I was young there was controversy around music. It seemed to be about style. I think Paul would say it's just music. Looking back at some of the lyrics that's where the problem was in the values that some of the songs were bringing into our lives. 

I think that today Paul would be all over social media, teaching, preaching, interacting with people. 

But he'd also say "I don't want what I'm doing to be a stumbling block for someone else. I'll give up my freedom first rather than be the person that gets between my sibling and Jesus."

What a standard!

I feel a long way from being that others oriented...and I think Paul would say "that's OK, let's just keep moving in that direction, let the Spirit direct more and more of our choices and steps and keep seeing others, seeing what's going on for them, and loving people in this way".

Something like that.

#corinthians

#freedom

#freedomtoloveoneanother

#jesusatthecentre