We are often tempted to a ‘One slogan fits all’ approach to life, even the Christian life. The biblical approach is much fuller – Galatians 5:13.
- We are our brother’s keeper.
- 8:7. Kenneth Bailey met a fellow in South Sudan who had come from worshipping the red snake as a god. A woman involved in the Christian school at Nambucca was quite dismayed at C. S. Lewis’ portrayal of the devil as a witch in ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’, as she had been heavily involved in the occult.
- our consciences are not infallible, but they must not be defiled – Rom. 14:23. Knowledge is good, but it can be damaging – 1 Cor.8:10.
- Gauge the importance and weight of the issue.
- in itself, food is spiritually irrelevant – 8:8; Rom.14:17.
- the wearing of masks; and curbs on public worship? The bigger issue is surely not who has the better social policy, but how do we respond to God who is clearly chastening us for our sins?
- Use knowledge lovingly.
- Calvin: ‘there is nothing to which we are more prone than this, that every one follows his own advantage, to the neglect of that of others.’
- 8:7, 9-11. Martin Bucer: ‘While all faith is placed in Christ, the thing is safe. It is not given for all to see the same thing at the same time.’
- 1 Cor.8:12-13; Matt.25:40, 45; Acts 9:4. The world says: ‘Stand up for your rights.’ The Christian says: ‘Knowledge puffs up, love builds up.’ ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ (Gen.4:9) Yes, we are.