Reading 1 Corinthians 6:23-33 I realize how my perception of Christian duty can be very skewed sometimes.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 6:23-33 TNIV

I have taken my liberty for granted and become very legalistic in many regards. Neither of which I want to do. I need to be careful in what I do, and keep my self unstained from sin - but in doing so I must also make sure I have not caused others to falter.

Sometimes I find that in my quest of holiness I forget what it’s all about — not I — but the guy in the sky: Jesus. It is for His glory that I should be living. Then I also be looking to others and looking for the good of others. Which brings me to my next verse:

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one of you for whatever good you do, whether you are slave or free.

Ephesians 6:7-8 TNIV

I know in my own life this is a great failure — putting my all in to everything and serving others — as if I am doing it for God. Sometimes it just seems so hard, and things seem so surreal. But in my complacent state of vegetation - when I’m not keeping on my toes: though things are hard - I find I fail those closest to me. I don’t serve them as if I were serving God, I don’t put in the effort. I know the reward is great if I can get past my own selfishness, but the gravity of my humanness just seems so heavy sometimes.

It is my duty to be alert and to continually look for what is best, what will better the life of those I’m surrounded with. Not to barrage those who have not made the same commitments as me, but to help raise them up and at the same time glorify God. If I do nothing but point people to God in my actions - I succeed. But when I put perfection and legalism before God and at the same time cause others to stumble — it is all empty.

Freedom is granted to me by God, and I have taken it for granted. God has given instruction in living right and I have perverted in my legalism. I have been charged to serve others and I have simply failed.

It is my hope that one day I can live a way that is pleasing both to Christ, and others — that I might be a light on a hill that points to God. It is my hope that one day I will be free of legalism and fully enjoy the freedom from God. It is coming, but until then, please bear with me.

Dear God, make my paths straight and guide me in your purpose. Show me the way that is best, the road by which you are glorified. Give me strength when I am weary, so that I might serve wholeheartedly in all I do. Allow me to pick people up when they fall, and remove all that is in me that might cause another to stumble. In your Son’s name, Amen.