The Apostle Paul’s admonitions about Christian liberty strike a chord that resonates deeply in today’s cultural climate. Carl Trueman aptly describes our modern ethos as one defined by autonomy and self-expression, often to the exclusion of any external authority. While this mindset pervades the world, it should not characterize the Church. Yet, believers face the ongoing challenge of ensuring that personal freedom does not morph into individualism that undermines the unity of the body of Christ.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 8:9 (NASB) are both corrective and cautionary:“But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”

Here lies the tension: Christian freedom must always be exercised with love and regard for others. Though “all things are lawful,” as Paul says elsewhere (1 Corinthians 10:23, BSB), not all things are beneficial, nor do they build up the body.

A Kingdom Perspective on Community

Individualism, so deeply rooted in Western culture, is foreign to the biblical worldview. The Scriptures consistently emphasize that our lives belong to God and are interwoven with the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Consider these poignant reminders:

• “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NASB)
• “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12, NASB)

These verses expose the lie of self-sovereignty and underscore our identity as part of a larger whole. Our actions have ripple effects that extend beyond ourselves, impacting the entire body of Christ.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer insightfully warned of the danger of idealized notions of community that prioritize personal preferences over biblical unity. He wrote, “He who loves his dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter.” Genuine Christian fellowship requires humility and a relinquishment of selfish ambition.

Paul addresses this in Romans 12:3 (NASB): “Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think; but think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”

This humility is foundational to preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

Love, the Higher Law

The principle that governs Christian freedom is love—love that seeks the good of others over self-interest. Paul elevates the gravity of this truth in 1 Corinthians 8:12 (NASB): “And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.”

To wound a brother’s conscience is no small matter; it is an affront to the very Lord who purchased that brother with His blood. This reality calls us to a deep examination of our motives and choices. Are they driven by love, or by self-assertion?

The words of Romans 14:15 (NASB) challenge us further:“For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.”

Walking in love means that my freedom is never more important than the spiritual health of my family in Christ. It is a sobering thought that the decisions I make could either build up or tear down a brother’s faith.

The Blessing of Unity

Psalm 133 paints a beautiful picture of the joy and blessing that flow from unity:“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, as on Aaron’s beard, the oil which ran down upon the edge of his robes.” (Psalm 133:1-2, NASB)

Unity is not merely an ideal; it is a tangible reflection of God’s glory and a conduit of His blessing. As believers, we are called to actively protect and promote this unity by putting the needs of others before our own.

A Call to Action

Bonhoeffer’s words resonate with Paul’s teaching: “It is not simply to be taken for granted that the Christian has the privilege of living among other Christians.” 

The community of faith is a gift, but it requires intentional care. My decisions, my words, and my actions must be guided by the love that reflects Christ’s own.

Let us, then, take Paul’s challenge to heart:“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of the other person.” (1 Corinthians 10:24, BSB)

In a world enamored with self-expression and autonomy, the Church must stand as a countercultural witness to the beauty of sacrificial love and shared life. May our freedom always be governed by love, and may our lives together reflect the unity for which Christ prayed.

Amen.

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Graduated from Northpoint Bible College in Haverhill, MA with a B.A. in Biblical Studies/Pastoral Ministry. He and his wife reside in Penfield, NY. Ken is an elder serving in Evangelical Church of Fairport for the past twenty years.