My Convictions, My Relationships

Hey there, friends! Neal here. I want to talk to you today about something that affects all of us: relationships. You know, God put us on this earth not to chase after worldly things, but to have a right relationship with Him and with others. And let me tell you, relationships can be hard!

We all struggle with people sometimes, whether it's family, coworkers, or even folks at church. I mean, have you ever had a disagreement with someone over a conviction you hold dear? Maybe it's about what movies to watch, or whether Christians should celebrate Halloween. We even disagree over who we should vote for. These "gray areas" can cause a lot of tension among believers.

Well, I've been studying 1 Corinthians 8, and I think Paul has some wisdom for us on this topic. See, the Church in Corinth was arguing about whether it was okay to eat food sacrificed to idols. Some thought it was no big deal, while others felt it was a sin. Sound familiar?

Paul starts by reminding us that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (v. 1). Just because we know something is technically permissible doesn't mean it's always loving. He goes on to say, "The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know" (v. 2). In other words, our knowledge has limits, but God's wisdom is perfect.

So how do we navigate these gray areas? Paul gives us a few principles to consider:

1. Does it promote unity? Ephesians 4:3 says to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." We need to work hard at maintaining harmony in the church, even when we disagree.

2. Can it lead to bondage? 1 Corinthians 6:12 says, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial... I will not be mastered by anything." We must be careful that our choices don't enslave us or others.

3. Does it conflict with my conscience? 1 Timothy 1:5 talks about having "a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith." If something bothers your conscience, it's best to avoid it.

4. Will it cause someone to stumble? This is the big one. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:13, "If what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." He was willing to give up his rights for the sake of others.

You see, it all comes down to love. We need to be sensitive to the convictions of those around us, even if we don't fully understand them. That might mean not having a drink when we're out with someone who struggles with alcohol, or being careful about the movies we watch.

Now, I know these issues can be tricky. Trust me, I've had my share of awkward moments! Like the time I went to lunch with some pastors out west and they all ordered beer. Talk about uncomfortable for a good old southern Church of Christ boy! But you know what? They were considerate of me by asking if I had a problem with it and were very cautious of recovering alcoholics on their staff by not drinking in front of them.

Or I think about my own mom, who decided never to touch alcohol because she grew up with alcoholic parents. That was her personal conviction, and I respect it. The point is, we all have different backgrounds and experiences that shape our beliefs. But at the end of the day, we're called to love each other and point each other to Jesus.

Speaking of Jesus, I can't wait to be with Him in heaven one day! No more struggles, no more sin, no more petty disagreements. Just a pure, joyful relationship with God and each other. What a glorious day that will be!

But until then, let's commit to building each other up, not tearing each other down. Ephesians 4:29 puts it perfectly: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

So, if you're facing a gray area issue with someone, take a step back and ask yourself: Is my attitude promoting unity? Is my choice leading to bondage? Is it conflicting with my conscience? Could it cause someone to stumble? And most of all, am I being loving?

If we can keep those things in mind, I believe we'll find a lot more peace in our relationships. And who knows? We might even discover that we have more in common than we thought. Because at the end of the day, we're all just sinners saved by grace, trying to follow Jesus the best we can.

So, let's give each other some slack, and let's keep pointing each other back to the cross. That's where true unity and freedom are found. Amen?

'Til next time,

Neal

Watch video of this sermon HERE.