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Giving up Freedom

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 10:23

Everything is Permissible

I mean, what’s not to love there!  That frees us from so much of the bondage of the make up do’s and don’ts that we wrap ourselves up in.  This type of freedom, is really unimaginable, especially considering the traditional and political-correct  boundaries that strip us from freedom.

But of course, that sort of freedom really requires some sort of guidelines – doesn’t it?  That is what the rest of the verse does, as it bounds the freedom of the grounds of positive benefit.

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive (NIV)

That’s good advice.

However, I  find the next verse to actually be the thing that binds up the freedom in a way that is even more of a challenge.

24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Hm.. there’s that concept of good again, and not just mine, or being good, but others good.  Not mine but yours. That’s the challenge.  Look at the way the New Century Version words this, it’s even more plain and straightforward

23 “We are allowed to do all things,” but not all things are good for us to do. “We are allowed to do all things,” but not all things help others grow stronger. 24 Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also.

Are we willing to give up our freedom for the good of others – to help them and make them stronger?