In All Things, Be Careful

Epiphany 2 – January 14, 2024

1 Samuel 3:1-20
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
1 Corinthians 6:12=20
John 1:43-51

It seems that one of the issues Paul had to deal with in his ministry was what the freedom in Christ meant. We read this in many of his letters. The question from the people was, “If they were made free by Jesus and forgiven their sins, then they could do anything that they wanted.” Paul’s answer was, “Yes, that is true, but you need to look at how your choices affect or influence others.” Here, in our reading from First Corinthians, we hear that message as well. He tells us that all things are permitted but not all of them are beneficial. He begins his example with food and then goes to talk about sexual immorality. We note that Roman society was more open to different sexual alliances than ours and Paul may be addressing the issue of temple prostitutes somewhat in the same light as he talks about food offered to idols. Were the early Christians continuing the old habits of visiting the temple prostitutes? If so, that may explain his analogy of becoming one body with the prostitute as a question of who they wanted to be part of – Jesus or the prostitute of a false idol?

So the true question Paul sets before us today is, Who or what determines your actions? Is it God or the world? Do you act in faith or out of desire? Do you live for yourself or for God? While the answer seems to be an easy one, we often find ourselves in the wrong place when it comes to making decisions. That is, in part, because we live in a society that thinks you should be able to do whatever you want. That is a false understanding of our democracy. What we have actually done is given up the absolute right to do what we want and put in its place a government to equally protect all so that each individual can live out their life in peace and security. Paul’s letter calls us to a different standard than this. He calls us to determine what we do based on how another person will perceive it as he says in several of his letters. This is the beginning of Paul’s guide to our life.

While you are freed in Christ to do that which you desire, you are called to choose to live for others. That is the sense of much of the Bible. Both the Old and New Testaments talk about living in a community and when they stray from this call trouble begins. In our other texts for today we hear Eli instructing Samuel on how to hear the Lord and see Jesus calling disciples. There Jesus tells Nathanael that, because he has answered his call, he will see great things. That is our story also. Because we have been called by Jesus through the waters of baptism we will see great things. We also are called to act from our vision of God’s salvation and share God’s gift with the world. You do not need to be a great and eloquent speaker to do this as Paul seemed to be. All you need is to speak a kind word to those feeling down or a helping hand to those in need. Simple extensions of God’s love to others. That is what God has called us to be; people who change the world by one little act after another. Yes, we are free to do anything we want. Use your freedom to show God’s love and peace to others.