Conviction or Legalism; Discipline or Destruction?

 ~a look at 1 Corinthians chapter 8 ~

---

Intro

We all today ought to be grateful that the Apostle Paul is not with us in the flesh, for if he were, he would banner a clarion call out against the great majority of professing Christians and how they have been acting relating to all aspects of the present life. I say “professing Christians“[1] here because so many are indeed professing and at the same time are unknowingly fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus when He said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.”[2] For the fruit is all too obvious and the bad trees will be “cut down and thrown into the fire.”[3]

Having said this, let us who profess to be Christian, examine ourselves;[4] are we being disciplined and trained by the Scriptures[5] and by the Spirit,[6] having the discipline, for ourselves, of the loving Father,[7] or are we continuing onward in sin[8] proving we are not legitimate children?[9] Are we imaging that we know something when indeed we know nothing?[10]

To Whom

Please know, this is not written to the unbeliever of Christ, but to and for those of us who are making a profession to Jesus Christ, of being a Christian, and who attend “churches” all across our landscape. If you are not a believer, please feel free to continue reading this free of condemnation and free to share this with someone you know who professes Jesus Christ. For your judgment is not of my authority;[11] although, I would, if it were possible, plead that you would come to have your burdens lifted and see Christ as He is, both Lord and Savior of all. I pray that Christ would indeed be formed in you unto a new and better life, life of freedom from bondage of the heavy yokes of sin, an experiential life of joy in Christ and his true and freeing grace[12] that has been granted me.[13]

The Story: 1 Corinthians 8

Full article, coming soon!

---

[1] See author’s book, “Realities of a True Christian”

[2] Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV, unless otherwise noted)

[3] Matthew 7:15-20

[4] 2 Corinthians 13:5

[5] 2 Timothy 3:16

[6] John 16:7-11

[7] Hebrews 12:5-7

[8] Hebrews 10:26-27

[9] Hebrews 12:8

[10] 1 Corinthians 8:2

[11] 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

[12] See author’s book, “Foothills of True Grace”

[13] See author’s story: jeremybstrang.com