September 2, 2023

Today's Reading: 

Daily Lectionary:2 Samuel 5:1-25, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Corinthians 8:9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Knowledge is a gift, until it becomes a weapon. Freedom is a gift, until it too is used as a weapon. You might be wondering, though, how can knowledge or freedom become weapons? Learning stuff is good! Being free is good! Agreed. However, we (sinners) take that which is good and mess it up. We who still struggle (daily) with our sinful nature take gifts and often make them into clubs (to use against our neighbor). 

In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing about food offered to idols. He acknowledges that of course idols are not real deities; they aren’t God and have no power over anything. That knowledge is good; that knowledge comes from being taught the Law (in specific, the First Commandment). However, when that knowledge  is used to belittle or cause one of our neighbor’s to sin, that knowledge has now become a weapon. Paul is instructing the believers in Corinth to not let their knowledge outweigh their love for their neighbors - especially over something as short-lived as food! In love, we share what we have been taught with our neighbors. But then, also in love, we sacrifice ‘knowing it all,’ for the sake of one who is struggling. We deny our ‘right knowledge,’ in favor of walking alongside an unsteady neighbor. 

In the same way, freedom in Christ is a gift! We are freed from sin; death and the devil are conquered enemies. However, freedom used against our neighbor is no longer Christian freedom; now our freedom has become a tether to a false god: pride. True Christian freedom is always understood in relationship to your neighbor and their needs. We are not free to cause hurt, harm, or discourse for someone else. We are not free to tempt or hurt another’s conscience. 

Knowledge and freedom are gifts from God and rightly understood in Jesus. Our sinful minds like to take gifts and make them into weapons. Repent of this. Humbly remember that, before God, we are all beggars. You and your weaker neighbor are both in desperate need of forgiveness and mercy. You and your weaker neighbor are both receivers of God’s gifts:  Baptism, the preaching of His Word, and the Lord’s Supper. Learn and be free - in the Gospel. Learn with your neighbor. Be free in your service of your neighbor. Rejoice that God saw you in your weakness and sent His Son to pay for your sins! You (and your neighbor) are loved and forgiven.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Love in Christ is strong and living,  Binding faithful hearts in one;  Love in CHrist is true and giving.  May His will in us be done.  (LSB 706:1) 

-Deaconess Sarah Longmire is the bible study editor for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.