1Co 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for CONSCIENCE sake:
1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
1Co 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1Co 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
1Co 10:29 CONSCIENCE, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
CONSCIENCE: G4893, suneidēsis, soon-i'-day-sis
Thayer Definition:
1) the consciousness of anything
2) the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other
2a) the conscience
As Christians grow and mature into a perfect knowledge of the LORD, we will begin to receive “revelation” concerning our perfect liberty in Jesus Christ. However, at the same exact time, we also begin to receive revelation of our responsibility towards God, and of our responsibility towards other people. This direct revelation to our spirit is called CONSCIENCE.
I am going to write about a delicate subject. Depending upon many assorted factors, different Christians will have a wide variety of beliefs concerning their own and other peoples conduct.
I am going to try and encourage you to be gracious towards other people and their beliefs…as far as it is possible.
In his first epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul asks a very important question: “WHY IS MY LIBERTY JUDGED OF ANOTHER MAN’S CONSCIENCE?”
LIBERTY: G1657, eleutheria, el-yoo-ther-ee'-ah
Thayer Definition:
1) liberty to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation
2) fancied liberty
2a) licence, the liberty to do as one pleases
3) true liberty is living as we should, not as we please
First, I want to say something plainly: CHRISTIANS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE LAW OF MOSES!!! We are required to follow our CONSCIENCE.
This question was plainly addressed by the Apostles:
Act 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom WE GAVE NO SUCH COMMANDMENT:
There will be people who claim that “keep the law” does not mean the Ten Commandments, but “the law” means the “ceremonial law”. This argument is plainly disingenuous if we read the context of the original argument in the book of Acts, chapter 15, and all the rest of the New Testament.
Some people will then attempt to trap you by asking, “What is wrong with the ten commandments”? The answer of course is “NOTHING”… as far as it goes!
Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
The Apostle Paul explains the deficiency of the law much better than I ever can in the book of Romans and in the book of Galatians. However, let me make a more modern analogy:
“What is wrong with riding in a covered wagon”? The answer of course is “NOTHING” …as long as you do not mind traveling short distances, at low speeds, and without any modern conveniences or comfort. You can travel from St. Louis, Missouri, to California in a covered wagon for the unique experience, but do not insist everybody else should forsake flying in jet airplanes! When we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our CONSCIENCE is in direct communication with GOD.
Many CULTS will insist that you keep the Sabbath, or worship only on Saturdays…YES I SAID CULTS!!!
CULT: A group, often times though not always religious or spiritual in nature, that is led by a single or small group of leader(s). Members are often recruited or by some means persuaded to join, rarely if ever knowing how destructive and harmful a cult can be -- rarely knowing that it IS a cult. Though they usual come off as being generous, caring and in the best interests of their members, cults are inherently based on furthering the desires of cult leaders. Urban Dictionary.
Gosh, this definition of a CULT appears to fit every organization on planet earth!
It really does not matter which day you worship as long as you worship… but probably the more days we worship the better! FOLLOW YOUR CONSCIENCE!
Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
DON’T let other people “guilt” you into esteeming one day above another…especially if they have a financial interest in propagating their special day and their special denomination.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
JESUS SAID IT BEST… Mar 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Let me say something else that you may think is probably pretty radical. NEARLY ALL CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS ARE CULTS! Do you need proof?
Another big legalistic drum beat is from religious people (priests, pastors, ministers, clergy) insisting that everybody must go to a certain church BUILDING. Jesus made it plain that “church” is NOT about a building or a certain location…Church is about the PEOPLE of God!
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
You do not have to attend the crystal cathedral or St. Peter’s Basilica in order to be at church. If two saints are reading the Bible together, or praying together, or talking about Jesus together, they are at CHURCH!
Joh 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Frankly, all the grand church buildings and cathedrals are a big waste of time, money, and effort. I would much rather meet in a living room or out on the back patio to pray and talk about Jesus.
Jesus told a parable that illustrated the vast difference between the law and grace.
Luk 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luk 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luk 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luk 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Luk 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Luk 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Luk 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luk 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Luk 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Luk 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
If we study this story from the perspective of the Ten Commandments, we cannot find any fault with either the priest or the Levite. They could not be held guilty or accountable under the law of Moses for simply passing by the man after he was wounded and robbed by the thieves…After all, it wasn’t they who robbed and beat him.
However, the love and compassion shown by the Samaritan is glaringly obvious, even to the most obtuse follower of the law. The Samaritan had a CONSCIENCE. The scribes and Pharisees outwardly followed the law of Moses to the letter, even tithing mint and rue, but Jesus said their righteousness was NOT good enough.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Listen to what the ex-Pharisee Paul had to say about the law.
Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
The Apostle Paul said that touching the righteousness which was by the law, he was BLAMELESS.
BLAMELESS: G273, amemptos, am'-emp-tos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G3201; irreproachable: - blameless, faultless, unblamable.
As far as the law was concerned, the Apostle Paul said that he was faultless. However, he said that the righteousness of the law was dung (SHIT) compared to the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
DUNG: G4657, skubalon
Thayer Definition:
1) any refuse, as the excrement of animals, offscourings, rubbish, dregs
1a) of things worthless and detestable
Do we really want to put our confidence in keeping the law of Moses when we stand before Jesus on the Day of Judgment? If we possess the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith, why would we want to play around in the dung?
The law of Moses is all about OUTWARD conformity, but our CONSCIENCE is about direct communication between God and our spirit. We can outwardly conform to the law of Moses, and yet be desperately wicked on the inside.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
That is why religious leaders, who want to make merchandise out of us, always want to follow the law…they can APPEAR to be righteous, while they make a nice living coercing people into paying for private jets, and mansions, and palaces, and universities, and cathedrals, and businesses, and private armies, etc., etc., etc.
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath BEWITCHED you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
1Co 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1Co 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
1Co 10:29 CONSCIENCE, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
CONSCIENCE: G4893, suneidēsis, soon-i'-day-sis
Thayer Definition:
1) the consciousness of anything
2) the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other
2a) the conscience
As Christians grow and mature into a perfect knowledge of the LORD, we will begin to receive “revelation” concerning our perfect liberty in Jesus Christ. However, at the same exact time, we also begin to receive revelation of our responsibility towards God, and of our responsibility towards other people. This direct revelation to our spirit is called CONSCIENCE.
I am going to write about a delicate subject. Depending upon many assorted factors, different Christians will have a wide variety of beliefs concerning their own and other peoples conduct.
I am going to try and encourage you to be gracious towards other people and their beliefs…as far as it is possible.
In his first epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul asks a very important question: “WHY IS MY LIBERTY JUDGED OF ANOTHER MAN’S CONSCIENCE?”
LIBERTY: G1657, eleutheria, el-yoo-ther-ee'-ah
Thayer Definition:
1) liberty to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation
2) fancied liberty
2a) licence, the liberty to do as one pleases
3) true liberty is living as we should, not as we please
First, I want to say something plainly: CHRISTIANS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE LAW OF MOSES!!! We are required to follow our CONSCIENCE.
This question was plainly addressed by the Apostles:
Act 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom WE GAVE NO SUCH COMMANDMENT:
There will be people who claim that “keep the law” does not mean the Ten Commandments, but “the law” means the “ceremonial law”. This argument is plainly disingenuous if we read the context of the original argument in the book of Acts, chapter 15, and all the rest of the New Testament.
Some people will then attempt to trap you by asking, “What is wrong with the ten commandments”? The answer of course is “NOTHING”… as far as it goes!
Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
The Apostle Paul explains the deficiency of the law much better than I ever can in the book of Romans and in the book of Galatians. However, let me make a more modern analogy:
“What is wrong with riding in a covered wagon”? The answer of course is “NOTHING” …as long as you do not mind traveling short distances, at low speeds, and without any modern conveniences or comfort. You can travel from St. Louis, Missouri, to California in a covered wagon for the unique experience, but do not insist everybody else should forsake flying in jet airplanes! When we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our CONSCIENCE is in direct communication with GOD.
Many CULTS will insist that you keep the Sabbath, or worship only on Saturdays…YES I SAID CULTS!!!
CULT: A group, often times though not always religious or spiritual in nature, that is led by a single or small group of leader(s). Members are often recruited or by some means persuaded to join, rarely if ever knowing how destructive and harmful a cult can be -- rarely knowing that it IS a cult. Though they usual come off as being generous, caring and in the best interests of their members, cults are inherently based on furthering the desires of cult leaders. Urban Dictionary.
Gosh, this definition of a CULT appears to fit every organization on planet earth!
It really does not matter which day you worship as long as you worship… but probably the more days we worship the better! FOLLOW YOUR CONSCIENCE!
Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
DON’T let other people “guilt” you into esteeming one day above another…especially if they have a financial interest in propagating their special day and their special denomination.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
JESUS SAID IT BEST… Mar 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Let me say something else that you may think is probably pretty radical. NEARLY ALL CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS ARE CULTS! Do you need proof?
- The original Christian Church did not have a priestly class (like the pagans). The original Church considered ALL saints to be priests. Rev. 1:6
- The original Christian Church did not have temples (like the pagans). The original Church met in homes. Acts 20:20
- The original Christian Church did not use coercion to force people to be members, or to force people to financially support their religious denomination (like the pagans). 2 Cor. 9:7
Another big legalistic drum beat is from religious people (priests, pastors, ministers, clergy) insisting that everybody must go to a certain church BUILDING. Jesus made it plain that “church” is NOT about a building or a certain location…Church is about the PEOPLE of God!
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
You do not have to attend the crystal cathedral or St. Peter’s Basilica in order to be at church. If two saints are reading the Bible together, or praying together, or talking about Jesus together, they are at CHURCH!
Joh 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Frankly, all the grand church buildings and cathedrals are a big waste of time, money, and effort. I would much rather meet in a living room or out on the back patio to pray and talk about Jesus.
Jesus told a parable that illustrated the vast difference between the law and grace.
Luk 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luk 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luk 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luk 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Luk 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Luk 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Luk 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luk 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Luk 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Luk 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
If we study this story from the perspective of the Ten Commandments, we cannot find any fault with either the priest or the Levite. They could not be held guilty or accountable under the law of Moses for simply passing by the man after he was wounded and robbed by the thieves…After all, it wasn’t they who robbed and beat him.
However, the love and compassion shown by the Samaritan is glaringly obvious, even to the most obtuse follower of the law. The Samaritan had a CONSCIENCE. The scribes and Pharisees outwardly followed the law of Moses to the letter, even tithing mint and rue, but Jesus said their righteousness was NOT good enough.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Listen to what the ex-Pharisee Paul had to say about the law.
Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
The Apostle Paul said that touching the righteousness which was by the law, he was BLAMELESS.
BLAMELESS: G273, amemptos, am'-emp-tos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G3201; irreproachable: - blameless, faultless, unblamable.
As far as the law was concerned, the Apostle Paul said that he was faultless. However, he said that the righteousness of the law was dung (SHIT) compared to the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
DUNG: G4657, skubalon
Thayer Definition:
1) any refuse, as the excrement of animals, offscourings, rubbish, dregs
1a) of things worthless and detestable
Do we really want to put our confidence in keeping the law of Moses when we stand before Jesus on the Day of Judgment? If we possess the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith, why would we want to play around in the dung?
The law of Moses is all about OUTWARD conformity, but our CONSCIENCE is about direct communication between God and our spirit. We can outwardly conform to the law of Moses, and yet be desperately wicked on the inside.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
That is why religious leaders, who want to make merchandise out of us, always want to follow the law…they can APPEAR to be righteous, while they make a nice living coercing people into paying for private jets, and mansions, and palaces, and universities, and cathedrals, and businesses, and private armies, etc., etc., etc.
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath BEWITCHED you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
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