Daily Bible Plan - 1. Corinthians

19th August 2025

Devotion by Deaconess Sarah Imonopi

Theme: Unleashed to Save the Never-Dying Soul

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

Love over Freedom: Lessons from 1 Corinthians 8

Introduction

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul addresses an important issue: What do we do with our freedom as Christians? The Corinthians asked whether it was permissible to eat meat that had been offered to idols. Paul explains:

• Yes, we know that there is only one God – the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 6).

• Therefore, idols have no real power.

• But not every believer is strong in this knowledge. Some feel hurt or even tempted when others eat such meat without hesitation (v. 7).

So the key is not knowledge alone, but love. Paul says:

“While knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.” (1 Cor 8:1 NLT)

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Choosing Love over Freedom

Paul shows us that freedom does not mean: “I can do whatever I want.” Freedom in Christ means: I am free to limit myself out of love for others.

Jesus himself lived out this principle:

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Phil 2:3–4 NLT)

Our attitude should be: I am free – and precisely because of that freedom, I can willingly give up something if it helps someone else.

The real question is not: “Am I allowed to do this?”

But: “Does this help my neighbor if I do it?”

Ultimately, Paul points us to Jesus: He was the Son of God, with every right – and yet He gave up much in order to serve us.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45 NLT)

If Jesus, who had everything, gave it up for us – then we too can learn to put love above freedom..

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Prayer

Father in heaven,you have set me free through Jesus.Forgive me when I have used this freedom only for myself.Teach me to be considerate and to build others up with my choices.Give me a heart that is ready to give things up,so that your name is honored and my brothers and sisters are strengthened.Amen.

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Action Step

Write down one specific person or situation where you can choose love over freedom in the coming days – and then act on it intentionally..

Amen,

Deaconess Sarah Imonopi

Fortified City Church | Basel City Church | Global Prayer Hub