1 Corinthians 10:27-30 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and you be disposed to go; whatever is set before you, eat… I. CHRISTIANITY DOES NOT FORBID IT — does not forbid the acceptance of the invitation. To forbid such intercourse — 1. Would involve a command with which it would be impossible to comply, and which would be inconsistent with the position of the Christian as a citizen of this world. The distinction between believers and unbelievers is doubtless the most important which it is possible to make, but is not the classification made by men generally. It is not recognised by trade. Hence to forbid intercourse would be to prescribe an impossible rule. Christians are to be "diligent in business," etc. Moreover, how many families are there, some of the members of which believe, and others believe not! 2. Would necessitate our making distractions which it is impossible for us to make. Which of us could draw the line between those that believe and those that believe not? 3. Would encourage in those who believe the most un-Christlike feelings. How would it encourage the spirit of Pharisaism! "Lord, I thank thee that I am not as other men are." "Give place, for I am holier than thou." Further, all those who believe were once amongst those who believe not; and how has this transition been made? "By grace." And this being the case, how unbecoming abstinence from all social intercourse with those who believe not. 4. Would be to take away the best means for the cultivation of personal piety. The piety of the Bible is not the piety of the cloister, but one which is consummated in love. And where do we find the best school for this? A manly piety is best cultivated in the midst of the busy hum of the market and the shop. It is in the world that we meet with that discipline which is necessary for the strengthening of our faith, patience, and meekness. 5. Would interpose a barrier to the spread of Christian truth. The influence of example is one of the most valuable means of spreading the gospel (chaps. 7, 8) 6. Would be inconsistent with the example of Christ. He was "invited to a feast," on more occasions than one by those who believed not, and went. "This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them." Such reasons show the propriety of the truth involved in our text. With many, however, the great danger is of erring on the other side. No surer proof is there that our heart is not right with God than when we choose for our intimate companions those who are utter strangers to the power of godliness. II. CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE CAREFUL, IN SUCH INTERCOURSE, NOT TO BE THE MEANS OF CAUSING THEIR CHRISTIANITY TO BE EVIL SPOKEN OF. The particular way in which this might be done is specified by the apostle. Occasions, in such intercourse, there are sure to be, when the temptation to belie our faith in Christ will be strong. An unguarded word or look may be the means of causing some of "the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." Moreover, we may advert to the care we should take to turn such social intercourse to good account. To what an eminent degree did Christ do so; and well would it be if Christians embraced opportunities of saying "a word in season" in that easy, natural way in which Christ did it. We must cultivate our own personal godliness — live more ourselves in the Spirit — and then we shall make that use of social intercourse which we ought. (Caleb Scott, LL.B.) Parallel Verses KJV: If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. |
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