Introduction
One of the most memorable moments of the history of the Reformation is Luther's stand at the Diet of Worms. He had been summoned to appear before the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the emissaries of the pope. He was given safe conduct to come to the meeting, but everybody knew that it was not going to be honored. He went anyway. The lines from his closing arguments have been immortalized in books and movies and go as follows:
"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen." Martin Luther at Diet of Worms
Martin Luther was absolutely right when he said, "it is neither safe nor right to against conscience." Paul affirms the same thing in our passage. He affirms that it is not safe nor right to go against our own conscience or to ask a brother or sister to go against his/her conscience.
I. The Conscience
A. The conscience is that faculty of the mind, or inborn sense of right and wrong, by which we judge of the moral character of human conduct.
B. It is common to all men
C. Like all other human faculties, it has been perverted by the Fall.
II. Conscience and the Good of Others, 23-24.
A. This is actually the governing theme of the passage.
B. The Corinthians are claiming again (6:12) that all things are lawful for them, 23.
C. Paul provides us with an easy to use and quick matrix we can use to determine whether we should do something or not, 23.
D. If it weren't clear enough, Paul explicitly commands them and us to seek other people's well-being, 24.
III. Conscience and Eating at Home, 25-26.
A. The principle here is, "Don't keep on looking for all kinds of things to be offended by."
B. How does Paul's exhortation fit with the Jerusalem Council's decree?
C. In summary, work at not being so easily offended.
IV. Conscience and Eating with Unbelievers at Their Place, 27-29.
A. This is an invitation to eat at somebody's house.
B. So, we can add to the principle in v. 25: don't look for ways to be offended, but don't ignore them either.
C. Who is the one saying, "This was offered to idols?"
D. Even if our conscience is bothered by what should not bother it, we must not offend it.
V. Conscience and the Glory of God and the Spread of the Gospel, 31-11:1
A. These things we are talking about go beyond table manners and eating etiquette.
B. They are issues of spiritual life and death.
C. These are issues that either bring glory to God, or rob him of his glory, 31.
D. As we eat and drink for the glory of God, we will not give offense, 32-33.
Conclusion
And here we come back to where we began. He prefers others rather than himself. He doesn't seek his own profit. He has a Godward and others orientation, so that God can be glorified in the salvation of all kinds of people. And here the main way he does that is by respecting the conscience of the brethren. May God give us grace to imitate Paul as he imitates Christ.
http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-matter-of-conscience-1-cor-1023-111.html
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