ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

1 Corinthians 10:23 ‘All things are lawful’, but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful’, but not all things build up.

Paul writes a letter to the Corinthians apparently quoting what they've been saying, or what he thinks they might say. It's a rhetorical strategy. Counter the argument you assume someone is going to make. You say "All things are lawful." I say not all things are beneficial. I say not all things build up.

In our society we are obsessed with freedom. What am I free to do? Who is trying to limit my freedom? We place freedom at a very high value, perhaps the highest value of all. In Christian society, this would not be the case. Freedom isn't the highest value in the Christian worldview. What builds up the body? What builds up the kingdom? Those are the important questions. You may be free to say anything you want about your boss, your neighbor, your ex-spouse. First Amendment and all that. But is what you're saying beneficial? Will you saying it serve to build up the kingdom? That's the question that matters.

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

Worship together this Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for current information about all of our ministries.