This week I am preparing to talk about 1 Corinthians 10:23-32 with our students.  As I was looking over this Scripture I began to look back at some of the great quotes on freedom that have been published.

Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility- Eleanor Roosevelt

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others- Nelson Mandela

Freedom is not enough- Lyndon B Johnson

Looking at all three of these qutoes and then looking to what God says about the freedom of a believer; I see great similarities in what all four sources have to say about freedom.

We have a great freedom found only in Christ as he paid the debt for our sins on the cross; yet while we theoretically do what we choose, we have a greater responsibility to those around us.

Paul writes, "Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible - but no everything is constructive.  Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." 1 Cor. 10:23-24

In this foundational truth on the believer's freedom do we see the groundwork for the above statements...

Our freedom is not cheap, but free to those who would believe and carries a message that is reflected in the freedom of its believers; thus we have a HUGE responsibility.
The you see in Mandela's quote where he states we are not free for the sake of freedom, but to the end of respecting and enhancing the freedom of others.  When we choose freedom in Christ, we must exercise such responsibility that we respect the freedom of others; even the freedom to disagree, and do our utmost to enhance the freedom people have.  The only way we can enhance the freedom of others is by showing them Christ in our lives and giving them the message we carry within us.  We are not free for the sake of being free, but so that we may glorify the One who freed us, and free those around us.

Then we see President Johnson's quote and see exactly what Paul is stating.  It is not enough to be free, but we must use our freedom in such a way that we imporve all we come into contact with.  As Paul states, it is not about the meat presented by the host, it is about a clear conscience and the conscience of those around you.

For those doubters out there who believe God's opinion is the only one that matters in this whole deal; check verse 31.  Do everything to the glory of God, and in v. 32 we see part of that is not causing anyone to stumble.  Because it is not about our own good or our own freedom...that is not enough! 

It is about the good and freedom of all those we come into contact with.

Be free, but don't settle on your freedom!