It's time for Change

Josh 15-17; 1 Cor 8

1 Corinthians 8:9-10, 13
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
We, as people, have many rights. Paul tells us that "everything is permissible" which means we can do whatever we want. Did you read that..WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE WANT. It sounds great, right? Being able to eat anything, say anything, watch anything, do anything...sounds like utopia. But, the biggest kicker here is not actually being selfish...but being selfless. Now imagine a world where everyone thinks about...OTHERS. Imagine a world where people look at others weaknesses and not do what they actually want to do, so they can help their friend. Imagine someone not going to a bar because their friend is a struggling alcoholic. Imagine someone purposefully not watching a rated R movie because their friend struggles with porn. Imagine.

¹⁰ For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?
Everyone has a weakness. Everyone has a limit to their temptation. We all have a breaking point. I believe as people of God, if we are trying to show the world the love of Christ than we need to think about them before ourselves. Even though I love God, I can still go out for a drink. But, what if a new christian sees me at the bar? That can lead them to think its ok to drink and get drunk than go to church on the weekend, most likely hungover. If there are things that I can handle and maybe others can't, then i have to be in the right place. If i want to have a drink with family, than instead of going to the bar, i'm gonna do it at home with them. I may know more about God and even about myself, but not everyone else does.

13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
I can't be selfish. I can't just think of myself anymore. Its not all about me anymore. It's about others now..about their wellness and about me helping them get into heaven. I want to be selfish, i want to be egotistical, i want to only think of myself. I have been selfish, I have been egotistical, I have only thought of myself. But now that I see, now that God shows me its actually different being His child...it's time for change.

Lord,
You are constantly teaching me and showing me different aspects of you. Thank you for your loving kindness and hope for a better future. Thank you for guiding on the right path and knowing what i need. I trust in your timing and greater will for my life.
I forever love you always
Amen