All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. – 1 Cor. 10: 23

One reason why many people do not become a Christian is because of what they perceive to be the multiple limitations on the life that a Christian can lead. As far as they are concerned, they don’t want to trade one bondage for another, especially when the new bondage is also boring!

At the same time, there are many people who don’t want to become a Christian because they see the liberty that some Christians appear to have and consider what they do as going way overboard. This is the very problem that Paul addresses in this passage. In the background of it is a controversy over whether or not Christians can or should eat the left overs of meat that had been sacrificed to idol gods. Paul’s basic conclusion was that he would not be violating the law of Christ if he did. Therefore, it was lawful to him. Then, he quickly adds that even though it may be lawful, it may not be expedient. That is to say, everything a person is allowed to do, may not be advisable or wise to do.

The Christian has been given great liberty in and by Christ. However, that liberty is to be used to edify the body of Christ and those who seek to become a part of the body of Christ. Just as with our money and property, we are stewards of our liberty. We will be held accountable for what we did with our freedom as much as for what we did when we were in bondage.